Globalisation , Modernity & Postmodernity Flashcards
(15 cards)
What do postmodernists believe ?
Postmodernists believe that the truth is subjective. In the case of the famous shoe, they would say that both the colours green and red are both true.
Postmodernists believe this is true for everything , whether it’s science, religion , or sociology. If you believe the world I flat , you are equally as right as omeone who belies its round.
What do postmodernists believe about culture ?
Postmodernists believe in hyper-reality where nothing is ‘real’.
An endless stream of images and information has made culture fragmented and unstable.
Postmodernists believe hyper-reality has also changed our identity
Identify used to be defined by our social class , however we can now choose our lifestyle choices presented in the media. We can change what we consumer to change who we are.
What does Baudrillard believe ?
He believes in simulacra , which is the idea that :
Previous societies were based on the production of material goods
Where as postmodernity societies are based on buying and selling knowledge in the form of images and signs
These signs have no relation to physical reality , making it difficult for people to distinguish between image and reality.
The signs stand for nothing but themselves.
He describes this as hyper-reality : whee the signs appear more real than reality itself and substitute themselves for reality. However, these signs do not represent anything real so this is why he criticises TV since it encourages people not to be able to distinguish between what is real and what is not.
What is the AO3 of the postmodernism theory ?
People can tell the difference between what is real and what isn’t
Assuming all beliefs are true can be dangerous and offensive. Is someone really entitled to think things like “climate change isn’t real’ or the holocaust wasnt real
Grand theories have been used to solve many problems ‘
It goes power and inequality between people in society
Philo + Miller : The claim that states that we can choose our identity through what we consumer but this overlooks the effects of poverty and how this restricts people
Best and Kellner : they state that postmodernists fail to state where media and consumption theories come from and how they started they just simply identify them which makes it a weak theory
Harvey states that political decisions do impact people’s lives and do solve problems
What does Giddens state about late modernity ?
He believed that there were two main features of late modernity :
The process of disembedding , in which social relations are being lifted out of local contexts of interactions. This means we no longer need to have face-to-face interactions to create social relations due to the internet and what not.
Also reflexivity is occurring, which means that tradition and custom no longer guide to how we behave.
We are therefore constantly re-evaluating our actions in light of new information.
Culture is becoming increasingly unstable
Also Giddens states that we face a lot of high- consequence risks in late modernity like nuclear war and etc.
What does Beck state about late modernity ?
He believed that late modernity has been made by humans in a way that means we are all exposed to huge risks. He calls this a risk society.
However , he believes that science can provide us with plans to reduce these risks and protect us from them.
Like Giddens he believes our society is growing with individualisation I’m which we become increasingly reflexive. This means we should take account of the risk that we face at the many different courses in life we have to choose from. Beck calls this reflexive modernisation.
As a result, ‘risk consciousness’ has become increasingly central to our culture in today’s society.
What is the AO3 of late modernity ?
Negatives :
Reflexivity - Not everyone is free to shape their own lives
Beck says that technology has caused risk but Rustin says that it is capitalism and its pursuit of profit
Beck says things like environmentalism can bring about change but Hirst says they are too fragmented to do this.
Positives -
Does provide sociological alternatives to PM. Recognise knowledge isn’t perfect but can still be used to improve society and that rational analysis of society is possible.
What are the different changes cause by globalisation ?
Technological changes , Economical changes , Culture & identity and political changes
What are the technological changes ?
A time-space compression, which has closed distances between people has been created by satellite communications , the internet and global TV. Technology has brought about global risks. Beck argues that society has turned into a ‘risk society’ where we are increasingly threatened by humans made technology that will negatively affect our well being rather than natural disasters
What are the economic changes ?
The global economy is increasingly an electrical economy. Instead of the economy being centered on producing physical goods it now involves the production of information. The economy now never ‘sleeps’ since 24 hour transactions can take place on a global scale.
What are the changes in culture and identity ?
Globalisation makes it much harder for cultures to live in isolation. A main reason for the is due to the media. We are now in a global culture due to media wide spreading western culture. Globalisation also undermines cultural identity like class.
What are the political changes ?
Some argue that globalisation has undermined the importance of nation state. States are now less able to regulate the activities of large capitalists enterprises which Lash and Urry state is disorganised capitalism.
What are the main features of modernity ?
Modernity is a period which began in the late 18th century in Western Europe. It was based around :
The Nation State - countries were especially important in this period , as they were powerful , and different from each other.
Capitalism - this period saw economies change completely , with industrialisation leading to increasing wealth for those who owned the means of production
Rationality and Science - the enlightenment period saw religion become less important with science replacing it a the provider of the truth
Individualism - people had more freedom to choose their course in life
What is globalisation ?
Globalisation is the increasing interconnectedness of the world due to new technology and better , more accessible travel and a global economy
What do late modernists believe ?
Late modernists believe that, since globalisation, we are in a new phase of modernity. In this new phase, certain features have been intensified. They also believe the enlightenment project is still continuing. In other words, science is still providing the truth.
