Postmodernism

Question 1

Postmodernist Perspective

Answer 1

Argue that postmodern society is fragmented, and inequality has a meaning to each individual

Inequality does not exist, except in people’s own viewpoint

Question 2

Jean Baudrillard
Characteristics of Postmodern Society

Answer 2

1. Society is fragmented, people do not subscribe to group identity
2. Decline of manufacturing and unemployment has resulted in poverty and an increase in people in work, but depending on benefits
3. Globalisation means that manufacturing has moved to less developed countries and goods are relatively cheap
4. Changes in the nature of work and an increase in low skills service sector work (secondary labour market)
5. Individualism means that people are encouraged to be selfish and only concerned with their own needs

Question 3

Lyotard
Consumerism in Postmodern Society Creates Inequality

Answer 3

Social class, gender and ethnicity and other categories are from modern rather than postmodern society

These terms are meaningless because no groups have anything in common as society is fragmented

Consumerism and the media make people feel unequal because they lack the things others appear to have

Question 4

Pakulski & Waters
Death of Class

Answer 4

Class does not exist as society is so diverse, class is a meaningless measurement

Stratification is based on cultural, rather than economic differences - patterns are based on status

Economic inequalities have become much less important

Question 5

Social Exclusion & Inequality

Answer 5

People are said to be socially excluded, not when they’re poor, but when they lack a sense of engagement with society

Social deprivation involves factors such as poor education, crime, family breakdown and discrimination

It’s their personal characteristics which make them socially excluded, rather than wider social factors of inequality