Understanding Postmodernity Pre-modernity, Modernity & Postmodernity

Features of Pre-Modernity Rural way of life with strong communities Rural way of life with strong communities Marriages and jobs for life Marriages and jobs for life Mass illiteracy and superstition Mass illiteracy and superstition Acceptance of hierarchies and traditional roles Acceptance of hierarchies and traditional roles Strong faith in religion and agreement over values Strong faith in religion and agreement over values Very little travel and influence from overseas Very little travel and influence from overseas Art and culture reflected way of life Art and culture reflected way of life

Features of Modernity The dawning of Modernity was called the “Enlightenment” by Marx The dawning of Modernity was called the “Enlightenment” by Marx Industrialisation, faith in science and “rationality” were seen as advancements in society Industrialisation, faith in science and “rationality” were seen as advancements in society Wider education and advancements in medicine were seen as knowledge that could “perfect the world” Wider education and advancements in medicine were seen as knowledge that could “perfect the world” Religion could be challenged Religion could be challenged

Modernity Capitalism and colonisation were key features of the Industrial Revolution Capitalism and colonisation were key features of the Industrial Revolution Opportunities to travel widened and there was an emerging mass media Opportunities to travel widened and there was an emerging mass media Concepts of democracy, individualism and citizenship rights were also emerging Concepts of democracy, individualism and citizenship rights were also emerging However, stratification by class, gender and ethnicity remained rigid However, stratification by class, gender and ethnicity remained rigid

Modernity – 19 th & 20 th C Sociologists describe Western society as remaining in an age of Modernity until 1960s/1970s Sociologists describe Western society as remaining in an age of Modernity until 1960s/1970s Although there had been huge societal changes over the period of modernity, division by class, gender and ethnicity still remained Although there had been huge societal changes over the period of modernity, division by class, gender and ethnicity still remained By the 1970s, awareness of issues around equal opportunities was growing and assumptions of the modern age were questioned By the 1970s, awareness of issues around equal opportunities was growing and assumptions of the modern age were questioned

Postmodernity Most Sociologists would argue that we are now living in a postmodern era Most Sociologists would argue that we are now living in a postmodern era This is characterised by a rejection of traditional values and previous social norms This is characterised by a rejection of traditional values and previous social norms Some would argue that this is a positive thing as it allows individual freedoms Some would argue that this is a positive thing as it allows individual freedoms Others would lament the loss of traditional values and feel that this promotes a shallow and individualistic society Others would lament the loss of traditional values and feel that this promotes a shallow and individualistic society

Features of Postmodernity Cultural Relativism – the slogan of Postmodernity is “Anything goes” Cultural Relativism – the slogan of Postmodernity is “Anything goes” Widespread immigration and International travel Widespread immigration and International travel Art, fashion and architecture taken from many cultural influences Art, fashion and architecture taken from many cultural influences Secularisation – the development and acceptance of new and different religious movements Secularisation – the development and acceptance of new and different religious movements Breakdown of barriers concerning class, gender and ethnicity Breakdown of barriers concerning class, gender and ethnicity Choice of lifestyles, of family structures and of roles in the family and wider society Choice of lifestyles, of family structures and of roles in the family and wider society Consumerism allows people to create new identities Consumerism allows people to create new identities Projecting the self through appearance – body building, beauty enhancing treatments Projecting the self through appearance – body building, beauty enhancing treatments

The Postmodern world is dominated by Mass Media, the internet and satellite providing rapid access to information globally Mass Media, the internet and satellite providing rapid access to information globally A global economy with international organisations more powerful than nation states A global economy with international organisations more powerful than nation states Mass literacy – particularly in the West but a decline of “jobs for life” Mass literacy – particularly in the West but a decline of “jobs for life” Key thinkers include Key thinkers include Leyotard, Baudrillard Leyotard, Baudrillard