12 Questions
What is the primary concern of First Modernity?
How to realize socio-economic progress
What is the main characteristic of Second Modernity?
Reflexive modernization
What is the result of the differentiation of social and societal subsystems in First Modernity?
Hierarchical systems
What is the driving force behind Second Modernity?
The unintended side effects of industrial modernity
What is the consequence of the dissolution of communities and institutions in Second Modernity?
The emergence of post-national organization
What is the outcome of the socialization of nature in Second Modernity?
The integration of nature with society
What is the primary focus of the technical project of modernity?
Discovering universal laws and enabling predictions
What is the basis of the social project of modernity?
The belief in natural, human rights
What is a necessary implication of the belief in natural, human rights?
Modern government can rule only through democracy
What is the role of the democratic state in the social project of modernity?
To institutionalize the social project
What is the primary goal of the technical project in terms of progress?
To enable predictions and control of nature and society
How does the development of knowledge relate to the social project?
The institutions of the social project enable the development of knowledge
Study Notes
First Modernity
- Driven by six premises: nation-state society, programmatic individualization, employment society, nature as separate from society, scientifically defined concept of rationality, and functional differentiation
- Characterized by industrialization and the understanding of social and societal subsystems as separate, unique, and hierarchical systems
- Challenged by its success and unintended side effects
Second Modernity
- Driven by the side effects of first modernity, particularly the unintended consequences of industrialization
- Characterized as reflexive, as the process of modernization starts to relate actively to itself
- Focused on maintaining well-being while avoiding the side effects of first modernity
- Five key challenges: globalization, intensified individualization, global environmental crisis, gender revolution, and the Third Industrial Revolution
Characteristics of Second Modernity
- Post-national organization of politics and economy
- Dissolution of communities and institutions
- Post-full-time employment
- Socialization of nature
- Science of disenchantment: critique of rationality
- De-differentiation
The Technical and Social Project of Modernity
- Technical project: focused on scientific knowledge, empirically grounded, universal laws, enabling predictions, and progress through interventions
- Social project: focused on the nation-state and state system promoting stability, enabling the development of knowledge, and knowledge-based progress
- The social project is founded on the belief in natural, human rights, and the need for democratic government by consent of the governed
Test your knowledge on the focus of progress in modernity, the technical and social projects, and the implications of beliefs in natural human rights. Explore the relationship between modern knowledge, science, democratic state responsibilities, and human rights.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
