Modernity
- Created by: harrysidneyjack
- Created on: 07-03-22 15:27
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- Modernity
- Modernity
- characterised by the period following the Enlightenment but most evident in the period following the industrial revolution.
- It extended to the 1970s, some argue it still exist
- A structural approach to society, with importance of social instituions, social structures and social processes
- Bell and Newby (1970s)
- the mass industrialisation and urbanisation of society as being a cataylst of the modern eras gowth for urban areas, and shifting from agriculture to manufacturing.
- The 70s is characterised by the growth of capitalism and private industries which developed addititional social classes - such as middle class.
- Max Weber
- modernity was not only characterised by industrialisation and urbanisation, but by changes in our social attitudes.
- In particular the shift from spirituality to scientific rationality
- believed there was a gradual secularisation (delcine in religious belief), however morality stayed the same.
- bureaucracy is a necessity in the modern era, with the growth of large organisations use to organise society, e.g. welfare state, NHS, education system.
- modernity was not only characterised by industrialisation and urbanisation, but by changes in our social attitudes.
- Contemporary Evidence of modernity
- Things like traditional families still exist, altough they have been slightly altered.
- metanarratives such as Marxism and feminism still exist, however racial inequality has arguably declined in recent years.
- Webers ideas of scientific rationality is evident throughout most institutions. Welfare,employment, education and healthcare.
- individual differences are often neglected, attitudes to human behaviour from large institutions have not left modernity behind.
- quantitative approaches are used to make judgements, rather than hollistic views of a persons social circumstances,
- Late Modernity
- (Giddens) Era of rapid change between modern and postmodern eras
- (Beck) Increased uncetainties of income, marriage, family and individuals are insecureof their future
- (Bauman) era of fluidity in gender, sexuality, era characterised by change
- Key concepts
- Increased insecurity - in relationships, employment, environment, science
- Reflexivity - individuals reflect upon their place in society as a result of increasingchanges
- Interconnectedness - Globally connected but in a impersonal way and vicitmised to increased surveillance
- Contemporary Evidence of late modernity
- Serial monogamy and changes to relationships
- Media usage - impersonal interactions on social media
- Insecurity of employment - Zero hour contracts, self-employment
- Criticisms
- Definitions of class might have changed, but polarisation of views demonstrates structural forces in society
- Is late modernity a global phenomenon? Have other societies rejected Western indeals?
- Are risk and insecurities the product of social changes, or are they the product of capitalism?
- Post Modernity
- Era after moderninity arguably emerging in the late 70s and accelerated after the collapse of communism in the late 80s
- Increased globalisation and access to knowledge arguably changing old metanarratives
- Diverse cultures, lifestyle choices, sexuality, gender and families
- Lyotard
- People no longer blindly follow metanarratives
- Contemporary Evidence of late modernity
- People develop their own narratives
- Contemporary Evidence of late modernity
- Due to the diversity of opinions, solutions to problems are small scale instead of all encompasing
- People no longer blindly follow metanarratives
- Baudrillard
- Unable to distinguish media imagery with reality
- Unable to distinguish media imagery with reality
- Modernity
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