post-modernism

• modernity 


  era where humanity was defined by scientific & technological advances
• features of modernity

  -industrial economy = many worked in factories

  -importance of nation-state = no international laws yet

  = state highest level of social order

  -urbanisation = cities growing

  -science & rationality = expanding knowledge through proof

  -stability = few social / technological changes

  -predictability = job & relationship for life
• globalisation 


  -increasing interconnectedness of people across the world

  -frequently communicating with people from other cultures due to technology & efficient travel

  -undermines traditional norms & values and gives individuals greater choice
• post-modernism


  -theorists become interested in rapid pace of social change

  -most argue reality in some way is subjective
• features of post-modernism


  -global = people are moving & ideas, information & money flowing across national boundaries

  -media-saturated = due to huge expansion in digital & media technology

  -fragmented = change more rapid, stability lost

  -consumerist = people can create their identity through what they consume rather than being defined by social structures through their work

  -cultural diversity & hybridity = globalisation led to spreading & mixing of cultures > numerous 'subcultures' too
• FOUCAULT

  -argues "knowledge"/"truth" can easily be manipulated in postmodernity

  > birth & death rates not always accurate

  > can be manipulated through social policy

  -have no way of knowing what's really true anymore
• metanarrative in postmodernity - LYOTARD

  -understand "truth" about world through narratives > stories individuals/groups tell us

  -metanarratives : claim to understand whole world

  -Lyotard rejects metanarratives - used to impose their version of truth

  -dangerous as enables oppressive totalitarian state to impose their truth

  -Lyotard prefers postmodern era
• Baudrillard


  -says the world is a place people respond to images / symbols rather than real people, places & objects

  -consumer culture demonstrates how we're disconnected from reality
• Simulacra 


  -simulation that replaces reality it once imitated

  -devoid of reality
• Hyper-Reality 


  society is composed of many simulacra creating hyper-reality
• strengths

  -highlighted important cultural changes in media, culture, identity

  -recognises identity as more fluid

  -provides insight into modern issues

  -influenced way sociologists research
• criticisms

  -individuals aren't completely 'free' to construct identities

  -structures in society still exist & limit our choices & behaviour

  -wrong to assume we can't distinguish reality from media (simulacra/hyper-reality)
• choice in post-modernity 


  -shopping good example illustrating shift in choice through different eras

  > corner shop (pre-modern)

  > shopping mall (modern)

  > internet shopping (postmodern)
• key concepts


  > modernity

  > globalisation

  > postmodernity

  > fragmentation, consumerism, choice & diversity

  > knowledge & truth

  > enlightenment project

  > metanarratives

  > simulacra/hyper-reality
• key postmodernists

  -Michel Foucault

  -Jean Baudrillard

  -Jean-Francois Lyotard
• knowledge & big data - FOUCAULT

  -knowledge : shapes how we see world , subjective so perceptions of world shaped by what we think is true

  -big data : how population stats & demographies are used by gov
• why does Lyotard prefer postmodern era?

  -all metanarratives are equally true

  -therefore rejected entirely
• knowledge & progress in premodernity

  -premodern society > belief in religion, spirituality, magic enabled people to access "truth" and give answers about world

  -beliefs didn't change and so society remained stable
• knowledge & progress in modernity

  -people believed science could help uncover truth about the world

  -helped us improve the world > 'Enlightenment project'

  -as science developed so did our knowledge & society
• knowledge & progress in postmodernity

  -religion & other theories of world are just theories

  -no theory can give us true knowledge of world

  -progress through the Enlightenment project no longer possible