Theories - Postmodernism

Question 1

What is the Postmodernist Perspective?

Answer 1

Challenges traditional grand narratives/universal truths about society.

Knowledge is relative and shaped by individual interpretations and social contexts.

Question 2

1. Knowledge and Power
   What did Michel Foucault say about knowledge and understanding?

Answer 2

Power/knowledge are intertwined.
Knowledge is not neutral but shaped by power structures.

Question 3

What is Power-knowledge according to Foucault?

Answer 3

Those in power control knowledge production.

Question 4

What is Disciplinary power?

Answer 4

Institutions (school-prisons-hospital) regulate individuals through surveillance and normalization.

Question 5

What does it mean to say Truth is relative?

Answer 5

It is constructed by those in power.

Question 6

How can Foucault’s ideas be applied?

Answer 6

Modern institutions show how government, media and education shape societal norms.

Challenges traditional views of power as (top-down) and sees it being diffused through out society.

Question 7

What is an issue with Foucault’s ideas?

Answer 7

Vague
Lack clear solutions
Deterministic - implying individuals have little agency

Question 8

2. Hyper-reality and Simulacra
   Baudrillard

What did he say about Postmodern society?

Answer 8

Reality is replaced by simulations.
(Copies with no original)
(Hollywood analogy)

(Can be used as A02/A03 for media essay)

Question 9

Explain Hyper-reality

Answer 9

Distinction between reality and fiction (media) becomes blurred.

We construct our identities based on what we consume.

Question 10

Explain Simulacra

Answer 10

Images that are meant to represent something real but over time loose their connection to the real thing and start to replace it.

(Reality tv shows present themselves as real life but are heavily edited and scripted to create drama).

Question 11

How are Baudrillard’s ideas applicable ?

Answer 11

In a media saturated world sociology has to question what is real.

(False Equality/inequality)?

Question 12

What is A criticism to Baudrillard’s ideas?

Answer 12

Abstract
Difficult to apply scientifically.

Question 13

3. Reflexive modernity
   Giddens
   What does he Argue?

Answer 13

We have no entered postmodernity but late modernity

Question 14

What is Reflexivity ?

Answer 14

Individuals constantly reflect on their identities/lifestyles in response to new information.

Question 15

What is Disembedding ?

Answer 15

Social relationships no longed tied to local contexts.

Online dating - Global

Question 16

What is he saying then ?

Answer 16

Traditional structures (class/gender) still matter but individuals have more agency.

Question 17

What is a criticism of Giddens?

Answer 17

Over emphasis on individual agency.
Underestimate influence of traditional structures.

Question 18

4. Risk society and late modernity
   (Beck
   What does he argue ?

Answer 18

We live in a risk society.
Main concern is managing risks created by modernisation itself. (Climate change/Nuclear threat)

Question 19

What is a manufactured risk ?

Answer 19

New
Global
Unpredictable
(unlike traditional)
Old
Local
Predictable

Question 20

What does Beck say about Late modernity ??

Answer 20

Traditional structures still play a role but we have more agency.
(characterised by rapid change/uncertainty/reflexivity)

Question 21

What is Individualisation ?

Answer 21

Tradition no longer provides clear answers.

Sociology now focuses on how people navigate uncertainty
Make choices
Manage risks

Question 22

What is a criticism of Beck?

Answer 22

Western-centric
Not account for global inequalties

Flooding risks - mass food production
Moved risks to LICS

Question 23

Breakdown of postmodernism

Answer 23

1. Knowledge and power - Foucault
2. Hyper-reality - Baudrillard
3. Reflective modernity - Giddens
4. Risk society/Late modernity - Beck