Explaining the changes

First emerged in Western Europe 18th century
Characteristics that distinguish modern society from previous *traditional societies

:

before: nation state provided basic framework for people's lives.
Now: we are increasingly affected by globalisation, we live in one interdependent 'global village' and our lives are shaped by a global framework.

(before) Lives were shaped by: nation state
(Now) Lives are shaped by: global framework

changes that helped this to happen:

The key political unit in modern society - bounded territory ruled by a powerful centralised state.
Modern world = series of separate societies, each with own state.
Organises social life on national basis
large administrative bureaucracies and educational, welfare and legal institutions - regulate citizen's lives.
Important source of identity for citizens.e.g. the flag, as they identify with what it symbolises.

Main points:
•Key political unit
•Powerful state - Ruled by powerful centralised state
•Modern world = separate societies w/ own states
•Citizen's lives - Regulates citizens lives.
•Citizen identity - Source of identity for citizens

Modern economy: capitalist.
Capitalist = private ownership of means o production.
Capitalism brought about: industrialisation of modern society w/ huge increases in wealth
Unequal distribution of wealth- results in class conflict
Nation state becomes important in regulating capitalism & maintaining conditions which it operates.
SCOTT LASH AND JOHN URRY - ORGANISED CAPITALISM
Production = organised on Fordist principles
Fordist principles: mass production, standard products, large factories, low skilled labour.
Cheap, mass produced consumer goods lead to a rising standard of living.

Main points:
•Private ownership of means of production & wage labourers.
•Brought about industrialisation of M.S. <wealth
• Unequal distribution of labour = class conflict.
• Nation state regulates capitalism, maintains conditions.
•Scott Lash and John Urry (1987; 1994)

Rational, secular, scientific ways of thinking dominate.
Influence of magico-religious explanation of world declines.
Magio-religious = magical, supernatural practices.
Technically efficient forms of organisation dominate social and economic life.
Science becomes increasingly important in industry, medicine and communications.

Main points:
•Rational, secular, scientific dominates.
•Magico-religious decline
•Bureaucracies and factories dominate social & economic life
•Science = important to industry, medicine & communications

Tradition, custom and ascribed status become less important as the basis of actions.
Experience greater personal freedom, increasingly choose our own course in life, define our own identity.
Structural inequalities such as class remain important to shaping people's identity & restricting choices.

Main points:
Tradition, custom & ascribed = less important for basis of actions.
Greater personal freedom.
Can choose own course in life.
Can define our own identity
Structural inequality - Class - shapes people's identity + restricts choices.

Can now cross entire continents in hours.
Can exchange information across the globe w/ click of a mouse
Time-space compression

Key terms:

Organised capitalism - Scott Lash & John Urry.