Question

explain the historical periods of modernity and post modernity by describing three characteristics of each epoch

Answer 1

Modernity can be defined as introduction of technology, industrialism, democracy some individualism and socialism. The structure of modernity is multidimensional from liberalism, capitalism and industrialism it has been evolved from traditionalism. Modernity is comparing modern societies to postmodern ones, and the understanding of those non modern social status. Modernization brought a series of benefits to people from lower infant mortality rate, decreased death from starvation, eradication of some of the fatal diseases, more equal treatment of people with different backgrounds and so on.

Emergence of modern society : Modernity became identified with industrialism and the sweeping social, economic and cultural changes associated with it. Societies formed around the industrial production and distribution of products. Due to mechanization the transfer of the means of production from human labor to mechanized, advanced technology took place.

Modernity consists of a cluster of institutions : Such as Industrialism, bureaucratic organizations, Nation and state, Increasing role of private organisations. Each of these institutions has its own pattern of change and development.

Modernity and technology : Modernity is nothing but technology, whatever is used to increase the production is technology. In modern society it was belived that the technology is only for the elite class of the society. Economic, political and cultural aspects of globalization shape the face of modernity.

Post modernity refers to new ways of thinking about thought. It is ways of living characteristic of Modernity have been replaced to such a extent that our society is fundamentally different to the modern society. it is the way of understanding the knowledge in a different way compared to modern society.

Individual freedom to choose one’s lifestyle : Individuals today are free to pick their lifestyle and life course, from a wider range of options than ever before. Society is no longer divided along class or gender even ethnic lines. It is less work oriented and more of consumer oriented. Consuming things, and leisure activities are more important today than work.

Importance of the mass media : The rise of digital media, especially the internet has lead to a massive increase in the use in number of people using the media. People uploading their video, pictures and music on the social media platform has increased drastically. It has resulted in the complex pattern of media usage. People have become more dependent on the media than ever before. This has lead to less interaction between face to face communication and social and physical interaction.

Globalisation : Globalisation is flow of information and ideas, money, and people across national boundaries. Connection between the differnet parts of the world has increased. There are both positive and negative effets of globalisation such as technology, growth,trade and culture, negative such as poverty, terrorism,monoploy power and effects on environment.