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Do we live in a postmodern or a late modern world? Discuss with special reference to the UK
Aiden Triggs

Arguments surrounding the present state of the world in which we live have been and remain prominent within Sociology. Interpretations of our society largely come down to two over-riding concepts; a postmodern society or a late modern society. Definitions of such concepts are crucial in writing this essay in which I discuss the differing perspectives surrounding the state of our society today and the background for these perspectives, as well as highlighting their relevance to modern Britain. The postmodern world and postmodernity may be defined as a large, mainly cultural change from modernity which has seen a greater emphasis on pluralism and variety within the society (Macionis, 2011), we can relate such concepts to the likes of Bauman, Baudrillard and Lyotard who additionally place a large amount of importance on the size of such change and disruption (Stones, 2008). In contrast, a late modern world in relation to late modernity is defined as a society which has seen a rapid and almost uncontrollable growth of issues and institutional ideas pre-set and sustained within the philosophy of modernity, as well as the disappearance of boundaries which formally split such societies. (Macionis, 2011). With many features of modernity including technology and identity, as well as seemingly smaller issues such as anxiety, there is plenty to discuss in such a debate over postmodern and late modern worlds. As is clearly evident from the definitions above and as pointed out by Bauman, within Sociology and in the greater world there is no agreement on the existence of modernity and whether or not we live in a postmodern or late modern world in the UK today (Smith, 1999). Overall however it would seem that with specific evidence from and reference to the UK that we are currently living in a postmodern world.

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As reflected upon above, we can tackle this discussion over postmodernity and late modernity by way of themes in relation to many of the developed ‘institutional features’ (Stones, 2008: 8) within modernity itself. Firstly, the idea of technology and the relevant sub topics of media and availability of information is a key issue when looking at this debate as both postmodernists and late modern theorists have placed importance upon its place in society. It can be argued that ‘The Information Revolution’ (Macionis, 2011: 115) which has seen the whole world become far more together is a clear sign of us living in a postmodern world (Macionis, 2011). The huge amount of information now on offer to us is indescribable and the fact the vast majority of people especially within the UK can access such information – with only very few remote places unable to attain internet access – meaning that there is a sense of plurality in society in UK today. Nevertheless, late modernists including Giddens and Harvey offer an opposing and differing perspective on the increased importance of technology and its role in society. They state that in regards to personal identity and communication methods the world has been dramatically reduced in size such that communicative methods including social networking via Facebook and Twitter means that we stay in contact with others in a rather impersonal way (Stones, 2008). This is hugely relevant to society in the UK in that over 68% of the British population use Facebook (www.fanalyzer.co.uk, 2012) highlighting the fact as pointed out by late modern theorists, the growth of one of the many pre-set institutions of modernity, technology, has led to a late modern society in the UK today. Therefore it seems sensible to suggest that in light of such evidence, we are currently living in a late modern world in the UK due to the fact that despite the greater availability of information in general seeming to suggest the UK is a postmodern society, the fact that in what Giddens describes as a late modern society there has been a huge emphasis upon differing communication methods across the globe with huge advancements made in media communications which is prevalent in UK society today (Stones, 2008).

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Another issue which has interested both postmodernists and late modernists that they believe are characteristics of a postmodern and late modern society surrounds anxiety. Bauman firmly believed that within a postmodern society, anxiety is hugely prominent (Smith, 1999). He continued by stating that people feel uncertain and often undecided within the postmodern society in which they live but states that it is not an important issue for many of the society’s inhabitants (Smith, 1999). Bauman’s theories and assumptions can be easily related to contemporary society in the UK in that much of the public have reservations currently over the government’s economic policies and show a lack of confidence on whether or not our economic climate will improve in the near future. Thus it seems that with Bauman’s ideas being heavily related to the UK today, perhaps we do live in a postmodern society. Nevertheless, Giddens offers a differing view on anxiety and suggests that within a late modern society there are a variety of sources of anxiety and that such sources are ‘bound up with what we have done to the world’ (Giddens, 1998: 114). Examples include the potential for a nuclear war as any sign of discontent between countries, especially those with nuclear weapons, spreads fear amongst many of the world’s population (Giddens, 1998). The fact we have produced and created these risks ourselves, for example with the production of nuclear weapons by mankind, as stated previously sources of anxiety are different than those based mainly around religion in previous ages (Giddens, 1998). Therefore, in reference to the UK it must be concluded that on the basis of the argument above we live in a postmodern society as fear and anxiety over potentially catastrophic things such as nuclear weapons and war is not as prominent in the UK as in other countries and is not as significant as Bauman’s postmodernist view on anxiety which surrounds the society itself, which has highlighted above is prevalent in the UK society nowadays.

Postmodernists such as Bauman would argue that this uncertainty within a postmodern society is a result of a new-found freedom by many of its people (Smith, 1999). From a postmodern point of view, this freedom can be linked to inhabitants choosing their own identities and affirming themselves to many of the agencies which are so significant in a
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postmodern society (Smith, 1999). However, Bauman also states that this freedom means that the importance on the consumerist market is higher than ever before in that our identity shaping is accepted or rejected by everyone but ourselves (Campain, 2008). Such agencies include charities as well as worldwide brands which are almost in direct competition with each other to attain the allegiance of postmodern society inhabitants (Smith, 1999). It is this sense of community and togetherness by joining such associations that has led to greater collectivisation which is far superior to individualism in the postmodern world (Mansson, 2008). This idea of community is relevant to society in the UK today in that it is seen as beneficial to be part of organisations such as charities and other non-work related groups such as sports clubs to feel part of a group environment, which as stated by Bauman all helps to create our identity (Smith, 1999). On the contrary, late modernists argue that a large amount of freedom has already existed within modernity thus there has simply been an expansion or growth in freedom as well as other particular details of living in a late modern as opposed to modern world (Stones, 2008). Therefore, the fact that the postmodernist idea surrounding identity can be related and referred to society in the UK today seems to suggest that we are currently living in a postmodern world in Britain. With many choices available to use such as what brands of clothing and food we consume to where and how we live as highlighted by Bauman, it must be seen that society in the UK in its current state is postmodern (Smith, 1999).

Many other characteristics of postmodern as well as late modern societies exist which enable us to determine what type of world we live in, in the UK today. Certain processes are said to have taken place which have seen the creation of a postmodern world including greater individualism, as well as huge worldwide and internationally recognised risks, largely a result of globalisation which has occurred on an unprecedented level (Beck, 1999). It must be stated that such processes are significant in the fact that they are evident in society today for example, as discussed above there is greater diversity and freedom in the world which has led to individualisation as well as a
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global access to information (Smith, 1999). In reference to the UK, Beck also puts forward the idea that ‘underemployment’ (Beck, 1999: 2) is linked to postmodernity and, as is well documented in the media at the moment, unemployment especially amongst the youth of our country is at a high level. Therefore, with this evidence which wholly supports Beck’s view as well as the general views of postmodern theorists, it seems that the UK is currently a postmodern society due to the fact it features many of the characteristics described and explained by postmodern theorists which also characterise a postmodern world.

The debate surrounding postmodernity and late modernity and whether or not we in the UK live in a postmodern or late modern society is one which can be looked at in many different ways. By tackling the issue in key areas or themes such as characteristics of each society, technologies as well as identity, it makes it easier to come to judgements surrounding each perspective and their level of relevance to the UK today. As concluded throughout the essay, it seems that predominantly theory and evidence suggest we currently live in a postmodern society. In terms of the main characteristics of a postmodern society, the fact that there is greater emphasis on pluralism and variety within the society (Macionis, 2011) is one key example as to why we can conclude that we live in a postmodern society. This variety is prominent in things such as the brands of clothes or appliances we buy with more and more different brands of high and lower quality being on the market. As well as this, there is large variety in the type and number of agencies we associate ourselves with which help to create our identities, in turn leading to a variety of different identities within the postmodern society (Smith, 1999). In reference to the UK, it would be clear from the amount of different shops on offer to us that there is a wide range of different identities amongst inhabitants in that brands cater for all identities and needs. Further support and evidence that the UK is part of a postmodern world is that in terms of technology and the media, information is much more readily available to everyone than ever before (Macionis, 2011). The fact that presently in the UK social media and networking is at its most popular and also most
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powerful at present, we can suggest that the UK is a postmodern society. Therefore, overall, with significant statistical and theoretical evidence supporting the view that society in the UK is in a postmodern state, it must be concluded that despite opposing perspectives and theories suggesting the UK is part of a late modern world, the inhabitants of the UK are part of a postmodern world.

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References

Beck U (1999) World Risk Society. Cambridge: Polity Press. Campain R (2008) Bauman on Power – From ‘Solid’ to ‘Light’? In: Jacbosen MH and Poder P (eds) The Sociology of Zygmunt Bauman: Challenges and Critique. Aldershot: Ashgate. Fanalyzer (2012) [online]. Available at: http://www.fanalyzer.co.uk/demographics.html Accessed: 14 November 2012. Giddens A (1998) Conversations with Anthony Giddens: Making Sense of Modernity. Cambridge: Polity Press. Macionis J J and Plummer K (2011) Sociology: A Global Introduction. 5th edn Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall. Mansson (2008) Bauman on Strangers – Unwanted Peculiarities In: Jacbosen MH and Poder P (eds) The Sociology of Zygmunt Bauman: Challenges and Critique. Aldershot: Ashgate. Smith D (1999) Zygmunt Bauman: Prophet of Postmodernity. Cambridge: Polity Press. Stones R (ed) (2008) Key Sociological Thinkers. 2nd edn Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

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