Theory and Methods: Late/Postmodernism

Late/Postmodernism

Postmodernism

Postmodernism is not a theory, it is a critique of society. Postmodernists argue that all countries are now connected and therefore the separate nation states are now no longer significant. This has altered they way in which the Capitalist economy works as transnational companies now operate on a global basis in order to pursue profits.

Lyotard: Argues that we are in a period after modernism, therefore every theory attempting to explain society is a meta narrative. He argues that there are two reasons for this:

1. Knowledge is Relative: There is no absolute truth as people are now far more critical than they used to be as facts can be disproved.
2. Identities are Fluid: Identities used to be based on social class but now society is fragmented and social groups no longer exist. People can change who they are any time.

Baudrillard: 'Death of the social'. Argues that society is dying as social institutions are no longer relevant. People are 'media saturated' as people don't actually communicate with each other anymore. He refers to this as 'pick and mix' identities, where peoples identities are shaped by the media. He calls this media simulacra (a sign with no media).

Philo and Miller: Argue that postmodernists completely ignore the Bourgeoisie and are exaggerating social change.

Late Modernism

Foucault: 'Panopticon'. Argues that in the modernist era, punishment was left to the social institutions, whereas things have changed in the late modernist era and punishment is now in the mind as people are policing themselves. The threat of surveillance prevents people from stepping out of line as the punishment isn't worth the crime.

Giddens: Argues that people are disembedding, face to face conversations are a thing of the past. He argues that people no longer have a social audience to play to. People are trying to choose their actions based on individual choice, they then reflect on their actions. They base their choice of action of reflexivity.

Beck: Argues that people assess the risk of their action before making the action. They base their choice of action on the possible outcomes. Therefore the individual is risk conscious.