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Cards In This Set
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What are modernist theories part of?
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Modernist theories are part of the Enlightenment project - the idea that society can progress through the use of human reason. Rationality and science will enable us to discover true knowledge about society and the natural world. With this knowledge, we can progress to a better future of freedom and prosperity.
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When did modern society first emerge in Western Europe? What 4 main characteristics distinguish it from previous traditional societies?
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Late 18th century.
Nation-state; individualism; capitalism; rationality, science and technology. |
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What is the nation-state?
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The nation-state is the key political unit in modern society - a bounded territory ruled by a powerful centralised state whose population usually shares the same language and culture.
It is the focal point of modern society, organising social life on a national basis. |
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What have modern states created to regulate their citizens' lives?
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They have created large administrative bureaucracies and educational, welfare and legal institutions to regulate their citizens' lives.
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What is the nation-state an important source of?
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The nation-state is an important source of identity for citixens, who identify with its symbols such as the flag.
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The economy of modern societies is what? What is it based on?
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The economy of modern societies is capitalist, based on private ownership of the means of production and the use of wage labourers.
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What did capitalism bring about in modern society?
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Capitalism brought about the industrialisation of modern society, with huge increases in wealth. However, wealth distribution is unequal, resulting in class conflict.
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What is the nation-state important for in terms of capitalism? What do Lash and Urry describe this as?
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The nation-state is important in regulating capitalism and maintaining the conditions under which it operates. lash and Urry describe this as 'organised capitalism'.
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In modern industry, production is organised on what?
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In modern industry, production is organised on Fordist principles: the mass production of standardised products on large factories, using low-skilled labour. Cheap, mass produced consumer goods lead to a rising standard of living.
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How have ways of thinking changed since the introduction of modernist society?
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Rational, secular scientific ways of thinking dominate and the influence of magico-religious explanations of the world has declined.
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What forms of organisation dominate social and economic life?
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Technically efficient forms of organisation, such as bureaucracies and factories. Science becomes increasingly important in industry, medicine and communications.
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What have become less important as the basis for our actions?
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Tradition, custom and ascribed status.
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What do we now experience as a result of modernist societies?
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We experience greater personal freedom and can increasingly choose our own course in life and define our own identity.
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Despite growing individualism in modern society, what so structural inequalities mean?
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Structural inequalities such as class, remain important in shaping people's identity and restricting their choices.
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Until recently, the nation-state provided the basic framework for most people's lives. However, most sociologists argue that we are now increasingly affected by what?
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Globalisation - the increasing interconnectedness of people across national boundaries.
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