Modernity, Postmodernity and Globalisation

• What is the focus of the study material?

  Modernity, postmodernity, and globalisation
• What does modernity refer to?

  A particular era in human history
• What characterizes the era of modernity?

  Scientific thought and individualism
• What do modernist theories subscribe to?

  The Enlightenment project
• What are the characteristics that distinguish modernity?

  Nation-state, capitalism, rationality, individualism
• What is the nation-state in modern society?

  A bounded territory ruled by a centralized state
• What does capitalism refer to in modernity?

  Private ownership of production means
• How does rationality influence modern society?

  It promotes logical and scientific thinking
• What is individualism in modernity?

  Less importance on tradition and customs
• What is globalisation?

  A process of increasing global interconnectedness
• How do postmodernists view globalisation?

  As a phenomenon in politics, economics, and culture
• What are the four changes that have contributed to globalisation?

  Technological, economic, political, cultural changes
• What role does technology play in globalisation?

  Creates time-space compression
• What is the impact of economic changes on globalisation?

  Global economy is information-driven
• How do political changes affect globalisation?

  National governments have less power
• What does globalisation mean for culture and identity?

  It leads to interconnected cultures
• What is postmodernity?

  A movement rejecting certainties of modernity
• What characterizes postmodernity?

  Rapid change, choice, and diversity
• How do postmodernists view identity?

  As a "pick and mix" culture
• What is the view of knowledge in postmodernism?

  No sure foundations to knowledge exist
• What does Lyotard argue about knowledge in postmodern society?

  Knowledge is a series of 'language games'
• What does Baudrillard argue about representation and reality?


  They are increasingly indistinguishable
• How do postmodernists view culture and identity?

  They differ significantly from modern society
• What is late modernity?

  A phase of modernity characterized by rapid change
• Who is associated with the concept of late modernity?

  Anthony Giddens
• What does Giddens argue about rapid social change?

  It is a key feature of late modernity
• What are the two key features of modernity according to Giddens?

  Disembedding and reflexivity
• What does Beck argue about late modernity?

  It is a 'risk society'
• How does late modernity view individualization?

  It leads to growing individualization
• What is the Marxist view of postmodernity?

  It is a recent stage of capitalism
• What is flexible accumulation?

  A post-Fordist economy with niche markets
• How has postmodernism affected consumption?

  It has turned culture and identity into commodities
• What is the significance of the 1970s in postmodernism?

  It marks the emergence of post-Fordist economy
• What should students do after reading the material?

  Complete the knowledge organizer
• What is the purpose of the Tutor2U video mentioned?

  To explain theoretical debates in sociology
• What is the critique of postmodernism by Marxists?

  It ignores power and inequality
• What is the moral critique of postmodernism?

  It equates all views as equally true
• How do postmodernists view the Enlightenment project?

  They consider it to be wrong
• What does Rustin argue about capitalism and risk?

  Capitalism causes the 'risk' in society
• What is the positive viewpoint of late modernity compared to postmodernism?

  Rational action remains possible