Theory 5 : Globalisation, Modernity and Postmodernity Flashcards
What are modernity theorists?
- functionalism
- marxism
- feminism
What are the 4 changes that have helped bring about globalisation?
- technological change
- economic change - global 24hr financial transactions
- political change - TNCs have more power than governments
- changes in culture and identity - we now longer develop our parents identity
According to post-modernists, there is no objective criteria we can use to prove whether a theory is true or false, what are the 2 consequences of this?
- we have lost our faith in science
- Marxism is a meta-narrative, someone’s’ version of reality, not the truth, therefore there is no reason to accept the claims the theory have made
What does Baudrillard say about the postmodern society?
- society is no longer based on the production of material goods, but rather on buying and selling knowledge in the form of images and signs
- simulacra
- hyper-reality
According the Baudrillard, what is simulacra?
- signs that stand for nothing other than themselves
According the Baudrillard, what is hyper-reality?
when we cannot distinguish between what is reality and what is not
Give an example of simulacra?
adolescene the tv programme being spoken about in the new as thought it was a real thing, the tv programme has become the news
What are the 3 criticisms of postmodern theory?
- ignores power and inequality - marxists say media is a tool for ideological domination
- the idea we freely construct our identities through consumption overlooks the effects of poverty
- it is an overarching version of truth
Who are the 2 late modern theorists?
- beck
- giddens
according to Giddens what are the two key features of a late modern society?
- disembedding has broken down geographical barriers
- tradition no longer tells us how to act, we have become more individualistic
what does beck say about late modern society?
- we face human made dangers
- we think for ourselves, tradition no longer constrains us
- we have become aware of our risks - risk society
What are the synoptic links with post modernism and family?
- stacey - divorce extended family
- weeks - long term shift in attitudes, same sex families
- family is now more diverse
What are the synoptic links with post modernism and education?
- diversity of schools and provisions
What are the synoptic links with post modernism and crime?
- post-fordism - factories have moved abroad
- Foucault - surveillance
What are the synoptic links with post modernism and media?
- media saturation
- hyper reality - can’t see what’s real and not
- simulacra - can’t see what’s ai and not
- pick and mix society
what can be used to criticise post modernism?
late modern
- we have not entered a new phase, it is a continuation of modernity
What is the marxist theory of post modernism?
- like postmodernists, they argue we have entered a new type of society that is product of capitalism, it is extreme capitalism where everything is sped up
- flexible accumulation has turned leisure into commodities, with extreme consumption
- Harvey argues this is a developed form of capitalism
Outline and explain 2 problems of the post modern perspective to study society today?
- Beck or Giddens (late modern) - we have not entered a new type of society and no new theories are needed
- it ignores inequality and the impact of poverty on shaping life chances. Marxists - we don’t have limitless choice as individuals are constrained by class
Who are the post-modern theorists?
- Baudrillard - simulacra, hyper-reality
- Bauman - we construct our identity
