Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World

Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World Which one do you personally feel is strongest in explaining the family? Why do you feel this way? Postmodernism concept involved an extensive range of ideals practices and methods which incorporated several significant and philosophical notions considered to be postmodern. The most common being post structuralism and feminism. It is hardly considered as a philosophical movement but rather a concept of handling traditional practices and ideas in a non-traditional mode which is totally different from the common super structural methods. However the exact definition of postmodernism has never been fully established.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Postmodernism explains that most opinions on realities are social elements and are therefore likely to change. It puts emphasis on power relations, motivation in the rising of beliefs and ideas a s well as the role of language. It specifies the importance of differentiating male and female, white and black and colonial versus imperial. In addition it holds the reality of being dependent on the interested parties and the nature of those interests. It was claimed that there is no apparent truth in the world and that the way people view life is based on their cultures when growing up. Post-modernism had influenced several cultural fields such as music, architecture, history, religion, literature, sociology and visual arts (Santos, 1996). Relate the theory of the paper to social class Most scholars suggested that postmodernism was an uprising of ideas from the modern era. It was also termed as significant aspects of modernism. Since the term had so many ways of being expressed, the various aspects of modernity are criticized while they are chosen to be consistent. Arguments were raised on the basic nature of knowledge as known in philosophy. Those who consider the term meaningfu l argue that modernism has significant weaknesses in the knowledge system. The argument for the significance of the term implies that there has been establishment of decentralization of technological and economic factors. The media which has for a long time dominated perceptions of people was criticized as not being unique but would acquire information from each other. It was despised for lack of objectivity and meaning due to unreliable sources of communication. Globalization created pluralism and united the global community that lacked a domineering center of leadership or intellectual production. Moreover it was a force which caused decentralization of the modernized life by bringing creative ideas on manufacturing and communication (Ritzer, 1996). Why postmodernism? This is one of the elements that cover all sectors of a family. It gets easier to compare and contrast family values, cultures, and way of doing things as well as possible outcomes of upbringings.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strengths It is a liberating movement – Postmodernism offers reformations and a new way of doing things by showing concern to those who were oppressed in society. Those who have been in the modern times hardly went through oppression but rather some groups of women, ethnic minorities, racial groups and communities that were minimal in number. Those who also shared different opinions against the western cultures would go through oppression. In postmodernism, such groups were given the privilege of establishing their own sentiments as they thought right regarding gender, religion, race, oppression and politics. By championing the cause of the poor- Postmodernism presents the end of history that has been dominated by the western culture. It is therefore viewed as a phase of freedom because it liberates everyone who was bound in the boundaries of disco urse. In addition to this, people rejected the ruler ship of white people as they would call them. There was development even in the rural areas that had been neglected for a long time yet had potential. This portrayed a change in the defined roles because the third world gave its views and opinions according to their perceptions, but people opted to do their own research and present their views. However political movements determined a wide range of concepts and knowledge that would replace the western way of doing things. Cultural reinvention – Globalization is very significant in producing images that are related to the various traditions. As a result, pluralism and opinions on nationalism are managed in a better way. This form of managing pluralism can be defined as an enforcement of multiculturalism that gives way to the consistent birth of ethnic identities that would hardly compromise the set objectives of modernization. Cultural reinvention generally focuses on the va rious differences between the non western and western cultures.   Mass tourism and traditionalism – One of the results of globalization is mass tourism. This also is an important aspect of traditionalism. This provides a political and social cause for opposing a single model of cultures for modernization. Some of the programs based in communities for purposes of development are connected to traditionalism (Lee, 1994). Weaknesses Multiculturalism brings difficulties- It was argued that due to the knowledge gained from modern science, there was destruction of various forms of knowledge especially those that were strange to people who were dominated by western cultures. In effect, there was fear and silence amongst those with different views and their knowledge was dominated by destruction. This brought about crisis since people wondered how dialogue can be initiated in a multicultural way yet some cultures had been forced to remain quiet. It was therefore assumed that multi culturalism was implemented for a group of people who would later act like they were concerned with the non western cultures but would do nothing about it. Postmodernism is also Eurocentric met narrative- This implies that by rejecting the old met narratives was in another sense creating another one. Postmodernism was birthed in the west and had different views from modernity. Its main purpose was to destroy some of the old narratives such as history and tradition, and religion was controversial because it was these factors that brought a difference between the non western and the western. This is to say that postmodernists brought a new met narrative that helped establish the secular world. It was insisted that African civilization despised the ideas of the West. The non west was later marginalized because of the obsession by postmodernists who were full of cynicism and irony. Postmodernism barely deals with aspects of power because it hardly questions power structures, instead it establishes untrue notions that have caused the west to show respect to the non west by globalization. Therefore the process of including dialogue between the two cultures can be viewed as exclusion because the principles applied remain the same but the way of handling them is different. This shows a lack of commitment from the western, because they only do that to make it look like they have accommodated the non western. This brought questions like why it would be important to discuss a plan on development of the rural areas when the evaluators already have a method before it is implemented (Kellner, 1992). References Kellner, D. (1992). â€Å"Popular Culture and the Construction of Postmodern Identities.† New York: Oxford publishers. Lee, R. (1994). â€Å"Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World.† London: Rout Ledge publishers. Ritzer, G. (1996). â€Å"Modern Sociological Theory.† New York: Macmillan publishers. Santos, D. (1996). â€Å"On Opposition al Postmodernism.† London: Rout ledge publishers.