Deck 15: Modernities, Cosmopolitanism, and Global Consumer Culture

Question 1

The notion of multiple modernities seems, on the surface at least, to help us better understand both modernization and globalization. Assess how it accomplishes this. With a look back to Parsons (chapter 4) and to the globalizing economic and political processes discussed in chapter 14, what strengths and weaknesses can you identify in the explanatory power of multiple modernities?

Answer 1

The notion of multiple modernities helps us better understand modernization and globalization by acknowledging that there are multiple paths to modernity and that different societies can modernize in different ways. This challenges the idea that there is only one model of modernity that all societies should follow, and instead recognizes the diversity of modern experiences around the world. This is particularly important in the context of globalization, as it allows us to see how different societies are engaging with and responding to globalizing forces in their own unique ways.

Looking back to Parsons and the globalizing economic and political processes discussed in chapter 14, we can identify both strengths and weaknesses in the explanatory power of multiple modernities. One strength is that it helps us to avoid ethnocentrism and Eurocentrism by recognizing that modernity can take different forms in different cultural and historical contexts. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of modernization and globalization, and helps to challenge the idea that Western modernity is the only valid model.

However, one weakness is that the concept of multiple modernities can be seen as too relativistic, potentially leading to a lack of universal standards or values. This could make it difficult to assess and compare the progress of different societies, and may lead to a lack of shared goals or common ground in addressing global challenges. Additionally, the concept of multiple modernities may not fully account for the power dynamics and inequalities that shape the globalizing processes, and may overlook the ways in which certain societies are marginalized or excluded from participating in these processes.

Overall, while the notion of multiple modernities offers a valuable framework for understanding modernization and globalization, it is important to critically assess its strengths and weaknesses in order to develop a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of these complex phenomena.

Question 2

Ulrich Beck argues that risk is a universal fate in global society. Assess the extent to which you/your community have been exposed, however minimally, to a globally diffused risk in recent years. Do you think that Beck exaggerates the threat of risk? To what extent do economic resources still cushion some sectors of the community against risk?

Answer 2

Ulrich Beck's argument that risk is a universal fate in global society is certainly evident in the experiences of many individuals and communities, including my own. In recent years, we have been exposed to globally diffused risks such as climate change, pandemics, and economic instability. These risks have had far-reaching impacts on our lives, from the threat of natural disasters to the spread of infectious diseases and the volatility of global markets.

While some may argue that Beck exaggerates the threat of risk, it is clear that these global risks have had real and tangible effects on our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, has disrupted economies, strained healthcare systems, and caused widespread social and psychological distress. Similarly, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, with extreme weather events and rising sea levels posing significant threats to communities around the world.

At the same time, it is important to recognize that economic resources can still cushion some sectors of the community against risk. Those with greater financial means may have access to better healthcare, secure housing, and the ability to adapt to changing economic conditions. However, it is also true that no one is completely immune to the impacts of global risks, and even the most affluent individuals and communities are not entirely insulated from their effects.

In conclusion, Ulrich Beck's argument about the universal fate of risk in global society is supported by the experiences of many individuals and communities, including my own. While economic resources may provide some level of protection against risk, it is clear that no one is entirely immune to the impacts of globally diffused risks. As such, it is important for individuals, communities, and governments to work together to address these challenges and build resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Question 3

Giddens has argued that the disembeddedness of life today confronts the individual with dilemmas of the self that they need to balance/resolve. How relevant to your current life experiences are the dilemmas that he identifies? Discuss the ways in which any of these dilemmas manifest in your life, and in your local world of experience. Do any of the self-dilemmas that Giddens identifies seem to be experienced differently depending on gender, race, sexuality, social class, or geographical region? Elaborate on your thoughts about this.

Answer 3

As a person living in the modern world, I find Giddens' argument about the disembeddedness of life and the dilemmas it presents to be highly relevant to my current life experiences. The constant interconnectedness and rapid changes in technology, social norms, and global events have indeed created a sense of disembeddedness, where individuals are often confronted with conflicting choices and uncertainties about their identity and place in the world.

One of the dilemmas that I personally experience is the balance between individual autonomy and the need for social connection. On one hand, there is a strong emphasis on personal freedom and self-expression, but on the other hand, there is a pressure to conform to societal expectations and maintain relationships. This dilemma often manifests in my life when making decisions about career paths, relationships, and personal values.

In my local world of experience, I have observed that these dilemmas are often experienced differently depending on gender, race, sexuality, social class, and geographical region. For example, individuals from marginalized communities may face additional challenges in navigating their identity and social connections due to systemic discrimination and limited access to resources. Similarly, individuals in different cultural or geographical contexts may have varying expectations and norms that influence their sense of self and social relationships.

In terms of gender, I have noticed that women often face unique dilemmas related to balancing career aspirations with traditional gender roles and expectations. Similarly, individuals from different racial or ethnic backgrounds may experience dilemmas related to cultural identity and assimilation. These differences in experiences highlight the intersectionality of identity and the ways in which social structures and power dynamics shape individual dilemmas.

Overall, Giddens' concept of self-dilemmas in the disembedded modern world resonates with my own experiences and observations. The ways in which these dilemmas manifest and are experienced differently based on various social factors further emphasize the importance of considering intersectionality in understanding and addressing these challenges.

Question 4

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-What does Habermas see as evidence of social pathology?

Question 5

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-How does Habermas's concept of contrite modernity differ from Eisenstadt's concept of multiple modernities?

Question 6

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-What is entailed in the notion of "flexible citizenship"?

Question 7

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-On what grounds can risk be said to transcend social class positions?

Question 8

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-Discuss two ways in which contemporary global cultural flows differ from earlier forms of cultural imperialism.

Question 9

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-Explain what is meant by the "aestheticization of reality."

Question 10

Please write 2 or 3 sentences per question.

-Identify an example of simulacra, and explain why it can be so characterized.

Question 11

A contrite modernity refers to the idea that:

A) Modernity was a false illusion
B) Modernity has some problems that need fixing
C) Modernity's failures cannot be fixed
D) Modernity should be abandoned

Question 12

What does Habermas see as a key driver of political indifference?

A) Consumer affluence
B) Lack of access to mass media
C) Religious fundamentalism
D) None of the above

Question 13

The post-secular society is one in which:

A) Religious symbols and institutions have never mattered
B) Religious influences are given priority in civil law and social policy
C) Religion may offer useful ideas that can contribute to public debate about social inequality and social change
D) Religion is excluded from the public sphere

Question 14

The notion of multiple modernities recognizes that:

A) The experience of modernity is similar across countries
B) The experience of modernity has bypassed Asia
C) Western modernity is the only form of modernity
D) Modernity takes different forms in different countries

Question 15

The notion of multiple modernities suggests that western modernity is:

A) Irrelevant to global economic, political and cultural change
B) Highly influential in shaping other models of modernity
C) Contained within the western world
D) None of the above

Question 16

Economic modernization changes in China were initially driven in part by:

A) University professors
B) Urban entrepreneurs
C) Rural peasants
D) Journalists

Question 17

Economic and social change in South Korea can be described as a form of "compressed modernity" because:

A) It happened at a faster and more intense pace than in the West
B) It entailed the abandonment of its cultural traditions
C) It was driven by centralized state economic planning
D) None of the above

Question 18

Economic and social changes in Asian societies produce:

A) Increased individualization
B) Increased economic prosperity
C) Strain between traditional and modern gender/family roles
D) All of the above

Question 19

The globalization of risk means that:

A) No one socio-economic class or society is immune to its impact
B) People living in peripheral states/regions are more at risk than those at the core
C) The practical consequences of risk are easily managed by advances in information technology
D) Freedom from risk is a new source of transnational solidarity

Question 20

Cosmopolitan modernity refers to:

A) The triumph of western values across the world
B) The mutual connection, interaction, and intermingling between societies
C) The experience of newly modernizing societies
D) The rise of individualization in previously collective-oriented societies

Question 21

Cosmopolitan responsibilities arise because of such factors as:

A) Climate change
B) Cyberattacks
C) Nuclear technology
D) All of the above

Question 22

Cosmopolitan modernity is:

A) Free of risk
B) Free of power inequalities
C) Free of state control
D) None of the above

Question 23

The notion of "flexible citizenship" recognizes that:

A) Citizenship rights vary from country to country
B) Citizenship has lost its core political, social, and cultural dimensions
C) Citizenship can no longer be confined to national territory
D) Citizenship is a less salient category in global world society

Question 24

Methodological nationalism:

A) Is evident in sociological theorizing and research
B) May distort our knowledge and understanding of societies in which we do not live
C) Is a narrow framework for understanding global society
D) All of the above

Question 25

Robertson's concept of unicity aims to capture the idea that with globalization:

A) People are more likely than earlier generations to live in global cities
B) The world can increasingly be thought of a single socio-cultural place
C) Societies are more closely integrated
D) Societies are culturally unified

Question 26

Ritzer's concept of the McDonaldization of society, points to the:

A) Increased homogenization of cultural experiences
B) Increased standardization of consumer choices
C) Economic power of global transnational corporations
D) A and B

Question 27

Global consumer culture is a highly … culture.

A) Original
B) Commodified
C) Aesthetic
D) Intellectual

Question 28

Global consumer culture:

A) Ignores regional/national cultural differences
B) Adapts to and incorporates regional/national cultural differences
C) Celebrates cultural differences
D) Is not visible in Asian societies

Question 29

In contemporary culture, everyday things are:

A) Accepted in their natural state
B) Seen as inferior to classical culture
C) Beautified and repackaged
D) Categorized in a meaningful order

Question 30

Commodification and cultural intertextuality can be seen in:

A) The Olympics
B) Las Vegas
C) Body tattoos
D) All of the above

Question 31

Everyday cultural themes today affirm the:

A) Separation of the sacred and the profane
B) Co-existence of disparate fragments
C) Authenticity of experience
D) Pursuit of shared cultural meaning

Question 32

For Baudrillard, a hyperreality is one which emphasizes:

A) Lavish spectacle
B) The authenticity of historical events
C) Frugality and austerity
D) Emotional connection

Question 33

Indoor ski slopes and theme parks are examples of:

A) The human longing for community
B) The human longing for excitement
C) Simulated realities
D) Cultural imperialism

Question 34

According to Giddens, the disembeddedness that characterizes globalization means that individuals:

A) Must negotiate the creation of a unified versus a fragmentary self
B) Should avoid grassroots political engagement
C) Will be immune to social class inequalities
D) Will be abandoned by the state

Question 35

Globalization processes have expanded:

A) Consumer culture
B) Human rights
C) Awareness of others not like us
D) All of the above