Globalisation, Modernity and Postmodernity

Modernity (Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism + Fordism)

Are part of the enlightenment project-Society can progress through use of human reason

Rationality + science enable us to discover true knowledge about society

First emerged in western society from 18th century

Key Features:

1-The Nation State-Is a key political unit. Modern world is made up of a series of separate societies, each with its own state

2-Capitalism-Private ownership of the means of production and the use of wage labourers/slaves. Wealth distribution is unequal causing class conflict. Mass produce standardised products in large factories using low skilled workers.

3-Rationality, science and technology-Science becomes increasingly important

Links-New Right, Chester, Rappoports

Globalisation

Def-increased interconnectedness of the world + live in one independent ‘global village’

1.Technological Change-can cross continents in hours or exchange info with click of a mouse

2.Economic Change-global economy increasingly weightless or electronic. Much of activity involves the production of information. Money never sleeps. 24hr financial transactions occur

3.Political Change-Globalisation has undermined power of the nation state. TNC’s now have more power economically than national governments E.g Google and Amazon

4.Changes in culture and identity-have global culture where western owned media companies spread western culture to rest of world. Identity has become fragmented.

Postmodernism General

-Postmodernity is a unstable, fragmented, media saturated, golbal village where image and reality are indistinguishable

We define ourselves by what we consume

No objective criteria to prove a theory true or false-causing two consequences

1.The enlightenment project of achieving progress through true, scientific knowledge is dead

2.Any all-embracing theory claiming absolute truth are meta-narratives, a version of reality but not the truth. No reason to accept their claims

Lyotard:

Rejects outdated meta-narratives as they have helped create oppressive totalitarian states, imposing their version of truth on people

One should recognise + celebrate diversity of views

Postmodernism (Baudrillard)

-Knowledge is central to postmodern society

-Society no longer based on production of material goods, but on selling and buying information through images and signs

-These bear no relation to physical reality

-Signs stand for nothing but themselves-simulacra

-We are in a hyperreality where signs don’t represent anything real, are literally meaningless

-We have lost power to improve society but can change our identity

Links-Stacey, Foucalt Surveillance, Weeks, Diversity of schools, Post-fordists

Postmodernism (Bauman)

-We don’t have fixed identity based on class, we construct our own identity through changing consumer patterns

-We pick n mix cultural goods and media produced images to define ourselves

-People are active and have free will

Late Modern Theories

General:

-Not in postmodernity but changes are a continuation of modernity

-Society still subscribes to the enlightenment project

-Still believe we can discover objective knowledge and use it to improve society

Giddens:

Pure Relationships and Plastic Sexuality

Disembedding-we no longer need face to face contact to interact-more impersonal

Breaks down geographical barriers

Tradition doesn’t tell us how to act-we are forced to become reflexive and constantly monitor + modify our actions in light of info about possible risks + opportunities they might involve

Customs become less important and no longer serve as a guide to how we should act-we become more individualistic

Beck:

Negotiated Family and Risk Society + Zombie Category

In past-society faced dangers as result of inability to control nature, such as drought or famine

Today-the dangers we face are human made + manufactured-e.g global warming

We have become risk conscious-constantly seek to avoid + minimise risk