THEORIES- POSTMODERNISM Flashcards
What are the key features of modernity?
Nation-state: A centralised political structure tied to a shared culture and language.
Capitalism: Based on private ownership and mass production, leading to economic expansion.
Rationality, science, and technology: Dominate over religious or traditional explanations for understanding the world.
Individualism: Personal freedom and individual rights replace traditional and ascribed status.
What defines postmodernity, and how does it differ from modernity?
Technological changes
Economic changes
Political changes
Cultural changes
What defines postmodernity, and how does it differ from modernity?
Technological changes
Technological changes:
Time-space compression (Harvey): Reduces distances in communication and travel.
Global risks (Beck): Human-made issues like climate change.
What defines postmodernity, and how does it differ from modernity?
Economic changes
Economic changes:
Weightless economy: Digital goods dominate over physical products.
Transnational corporations (TNCs): Operate beyond national borders.
What defines postmodernity, and how does it differ from modernity?
Political changes
Political changes:
Disorganised capitalism: Weakened nation-states and decentralised power.
Borderless world: Globalisation erodes traditional borders.
What defines postmodernity, and how does it differ from modernity?
Cultural changes
Cultural changes:
Global culture: Media, migration, and consumerism create cultural hybridisation.
Fragmentation of identities: Traditional roles weaken, allowing diverse expressions.
How do postmodernists explain changes in family structures?
Freedom of choice allows diverse family structures to thrive.
Giddens: ‘Pure relationships’ prioritise personal needs over traditional constraints.
Beck: ‘Negotiated families’ are formed through individual choice rather than fixed roles.
Stacey: Identifies the ‘divorce-extended family,’ showing how women benefit from postmodern flexibility.
How do postmodernists explain changes in family structures? Critique
Critique: Chester argues that the nuclear family remains dominant, describing it as the ‘neo-conventional family.’
What are the implications of postmodernity for education?
Education adapts to a post-Fordist economy, emphasising creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
What are the implications of postmodernity for education?
Critique
Marxists claim it overlooks persisting inequalities, particularly class-based barriers to educational opportunities.
How do postmodernists view religion in a globalised world?
Davie: Religion is now privatised (‘believing without belonging’).
Lyon: Media and technology deinstitutionalise religion, creating pick-and-mix spiritual practices.
How do postmodernists view religion in a globalised world?
Critique
Postmodernist views on religion fail to consider power struggles or how religion can exacerbate conflict.
What is hyper-reality, and how does it relate to postmodernity?
Hyper-reality (Baudrillard): The blurring of reality and media representations, where simulated realities replace the authentic.
Example: Fictional news stories or staged media spectacles that shape perceptions of reality.
What are the criticisms of postmodernist perspectives?
Overemphasis on media: Suggests people are unable to distinguish between reality and representation.
Neglects power and inequality: Especially issues of poverty and systemic barriers in shaping identity.
Downplays structural factors: Assumes too much freedom in individual choices.
What is Giddens’ theory of late modernity?
Disembedding: Social interactions and traditions are increasingly untied from local contexts (e.g., online communication).
Reflexivity: Individuals constantly monitor and evaluate their decisions, contributing to rapid social change.
