Modernity and PostmodernityModernity and Postmodernity

1.1. Order Order versusversus FluidityFluidity2.2. Clear Distinctions Clear Distinctions versusversus Negotiable Meaning Negotiable Meaning3.3. PredictabilityPredictability versusversus UncertaintyUncertainty4.4. Rational ProgressRational Progress versusversus Playfulness Playfulness 5.5. Control Control versusversus UncertaintyUncertainty6.6. Future-orientation Future-orientation versusversus Present-orientationPresent-orientation7.7. Production Production versusversus ConsumptionConsumption8.8. Experts Experts versusversus Gurus Gurus

etc. etcetc. etc

Is there a Third Way?Is there a Third Way?

The Sociological Tradition(s)The Sociological Tradition(s)

Sociology is the study of:Sociology is the study of:1.1. persisting patterns or structures external to persisting patterns or structures external to

individualsindividuals re re Marx, Durkheim, Foucault, BourdieuMarx, Durkheim, Foucault, Bourdieu etc etc etc etc power and constraintpower and constraint

OROR2.2. The purposeful actions of human beingsThe purposeful actions of human beings re re Weber, Weber,

Simmel, ethnomethodologySimmel, ethnomethodology etc etc etc etc meaning and meaning and decision-making decision-making

Is there a Third WayIs there a Third Way

Lord Anthony GiddensLord Anthony Giddens (1938-) (1938-)

1.1. A globally recognised British social theoristA globally recognised British social theorist

2.2. Considerable political and cultural influenceConsiderable political and cultural influence

3.3. Typically associated with attempts to reconcile Typically associated with attempts to reconcile apparently opposed ways of thinking in both apparently opposed ways of thinking in both Sociology and practical politicsSociology and practical politics

4.4. Still aliveStill alive

5.5. The Third Way?The Third Way?

Structuration TheoryStructuration Theory - Topics - Topics

1.1. Action and Structure Action and Structure

2.2. Key TermKey Term - Agency - Agency

3.3. Key TermKey Term – Structure – Structure

4.4. Key TermKey Term – Structuration (agency+structure) – Structuration (agency+structure)

5.5. Consciousness & SocietyConsciousness & Society

6.6. Time & SpaceTime & Space

Structuration TheoryStructuration Theory -goal -goal

To overcome the opposition between the two To overcome the opposition between the two traditions. This requires:traditions. This requires:

1.1. Action Action is not equated with is not equated with individualindividual human human activity: re. activity: re. WeberWeber

2.2. StructureStructure is not identified with external is not identified with external constraint: re. constraint: re. DurkheimDurkheim

Men make their own history but not in Men make their own history but not in circumstances of their own choosing:circumstances of their own choosing: MarxMarx

Key termsKey terms – not action but agency – not action but agency

AGENTAGENT = = any social unit that is capable of making a any social unit that is capable of making a difference.difference.

Source: GiddensSource: Giddens

i.e. agent ≠ only human individualsi.e. agent ≠ only human individuals

AGENCY AGENCY the continuous flow of conduct.the continuous flow of conduct.

Source: DallmayrSource: Dallmayr

i.e. agency ≠ events just in the here-and-nowi.e. agency ≠ events just in the here-and-now

Key termsKey terms - structure - structure

STRUCTURE(S):STRUCTURE(S): rules and resources, or sets of rules and resources, or sets of transformation relations, organized as properties of transformation relations, organized as properties of social systemssocial systems

SYSTEM(S):SYSTEM(S): reproduced relations between actors or reproduced relations between actors or collectivities, organised as regular social practicescollectivities, organised as regular social practices

Source: Giddens, A ‘The constitution of society’ p.25Source: Giddens, A ‘The constitution of society’ p.25

Structure Structure is the is the “objectification of past actions of past “objectification of past actions of past agents”agents” (re Berger & Luckman) (re Berger & Luckman)

Source: DallmayrSource: Dallmayr

Key termsKey terms -Structuration -Structuration

Agency and StructureAgency and Structure (are (are therefore)therefore) mutually mutually dependant...Structure is the medium through which dependant...Structure is the medium through which (agency) is produced(agency) is produced””

Source: Giddens Source: Giddens Central Problems in Social TheoryCentral Problems in Social Theory, page 69-70, page 69-70

Duality of StructuresDuality of Structures means that social structures are means that social structures are both constituted by human agency and yet at the same both constituted by human agency and yet at the same time are the very medium of this constitutiontime are the very medium of this constitution

Source: Giddens Source: Giddens New Rules of Sociological MethodNew Rules of Sociological Method, page 121 , page 121

Structuration Structuration (is a)(is a) connecting of human action with connecting of human action with structural explanation in social analysisstructural explanation in social analysis

Source: Giddens Source: Giddens Central Problems in Social TheoryCentral Problems in Social Theory page 49 page 49

Edmund Burke (1729-1797)Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

What is the relationship of an MP to their constituents?What is the relationship of an MP to their constituents?

x x DelegateDelegate one who follows the instruction of othersone who follows the instruction of others

√ √ Representative Representative one who uses their judgement on one who uses their judgement on behalf of others to whom he/she is accountable.behalf of others to whom he/she is accountable.

Structuration Theory Structuration Theory As agents we use our practical As agents we use our practical understanding understanding (phenomenology)(phenomenology) and the resources of and the resources of the social structure the social structure (Bourdieu et al)(Bourdieu et al) to construct to construct social reality social reality

Instance Instance – International Migration– International Migration

Goss, J. Goss, J. Conceptualising international labor migration Conceptualising international labor migration International Migration Review 1995International Migration Review 1995

1.1. Filipinos migrate overseas to seek workFilipinos migrate overseas to seek work2.2. They are obligated to assist their kin; remittancesThey are obligated to assist their kin; remittances3.3. They recommend their kin to employersThey recommend their kin to employers4.4. Therefore, kinship Therefore, kinship structurestructure takes on a new takes on a new

economic significance through the economic significance through the agencyagency of of migrantsmigrants

5.5. AND theAND the agency agency of migrants is constrained by the of migrants is constrained by the rules and relations (rules and relations (structurestructure) of kinship) of kinship

i.e. migration (agency) and kinship (structure) depend i.e. migration (agency) and kinship (structure) depend upon and affect each otherupon and affect each other

Instance: Managerial InnovationInstance: Managerial Innovation

Coopey et al Coopey et al Manager’s Innovations…Manager’s Innovations…

1.1. Changing the situationChanging the situation (agency) (agency)

2.2. in context of constraints, rules and resourcesin context of constraints, rules and resources (structure) (structure)

3.3. through selecting among available courses of through selecting among available courses of actionaction (structuration) (structuration)

4.4. and in changing the situation managers and in changing the situation managers change their perception of themselveschange their perception of themselves (reflexivity)(reflexivity)

Consciousness and SocietyConsciousness and Society

1.1. Practical Consciousness; Practical Consciousness; taken-for-granted raelitytaken-for-granted raelity2.2. Discursive Consciousness; Discursive Consciousness; legitimationlegitimation3.3. Unconscious; Unconscious; unacknowledged motivationsunacknowledged motivations

make possiblemake possibleReflexivity Reflexivity the knowledgeability of agentsthe knowledgeability of agents (informed (informed

citizens/klever burgher)citizens/klever burgher)but there is alsobut there is also

Sequestration Sequestration the institutionalised hiding the institutionalised hiding away/separation of different spheres of personal life away/separation of different spheres of personal life

Therefore,Therefore, intentional agency has unintended consequencesintentional agency has unintended consequences

Time & SpaceTime & Space

1.1. Agency is constituted (constructed) through Agency is constituted (constructed) through time and spacetime and space

2.2. SchutzSchutz on on predecessors, contemporaries predecessors, contemporaries and and successorssuccessors

3.3. The problem of ‘infinite regress’ in The problem of ‘infinite regress’ in structuration theorystructuration theory

Modernity and PostmodernityModernity and Postmodernity

1.1. Order Order versusversus FluidityFluidity2.2. Clear Distinctions Clear Distinctions versusversus Negotiable Meaning Negotiable Meaning3.3. PredictabilityPredictability versusversus UncertaintyUncertainty4.4. Rational ProgressRational Progress versusversus Playfulness Playfulness 5.5. Control Control versusversus UncertaintyUncertainty6.6. Future-orientation Future-orientation versusversus Present-orientationPresent-orientation7.7. Production Production versusversus ConsumptionConsumption8.8. Experts Experts versusversus Gurus Gurus

etc. etcetc. etc

Is there a Third Way?Is there a Third Way?

High ModernityHigh Modernity

Continues the processes of modernity eg Continues the processes of modernity eg rationalisation, urbanisation, technological rationalisation, urbanisation, technological advanceadvance etc ( etc (modern culturemodern culture))

But, because of its own But, because of its own reflexivityreflexivity, (, (self-self-examination of its practicesexamination of its practices) high modernity ) high modernity increasesincreases uncertainty through accelerating uncertainty through accelerating change (change (postmodern culturepostmodern culture))

High ModernityHigh Modernity as as JagernnathJagernnath (Reith lecture)(Reith lecture)

Modernity & TimeModernity & Time

High ModernityHigh Modernity = a changed relationship to time = a changed relationship to time becausebecause modernity is institutionally reflexivemodernity is institutionally reflexive

Cause:Cause: De-traditionalisation De-traditionalisation The loss of the legitimating The loss of the legitimating authority of tradition. This is part of the process of authority of tradition. This is part of the process of modernisation. A respectful, deferential attitude modernisation. A respectful, deferential attitude towards the collective past is replaced by a sense of towards the collective past is replaced by a sense of loss, ‘nostalgia’ and, re consumer images, ‘heritage’.loss, ‘nostalgia’ and, re consumer images, ‘heritage’.

Source: adapted from Giddens,Source: adapted from Giddens, A. Consequences of modernity A. Consequences of modernity

Re also BellahRe also Bellah Habits of the heart Habits of the heart

Modernity and SpaceModernity and Space

High Modernity High Modernity = a changed relationship to = a changed relationship to space space which both expands and contractswhich both expands and contracts

Cause:Cause: Disembedding Disembedding the "lifting out" of social the "lifting out" of social relations from local contexts and their relations from local contexts and their rearticulation across indefinite tracts of time-rearticulation across indefinite tracts of time-spacespace

Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.18 Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.18

The Problem of Order as the Problem of Trust in High The Problem of Order as the Problem of Trust in High ModernityModernity

Ontological SecurityOntological Security A sense of continuity and order in A sense of continuity and order in events, events, including those not directly within the including those not directly within the perceptual environment of the individualperceptual environment of the individual

Source Giddens, A Source Giddens, A Modernity and Self-identityModernity and Self-identity p.243 (emphasis p.243 (emphasis added)added)

TrustTrust trust in others ….is at the origin of the experience trust in others ….is at the origin of the experience of a stable external world and a coherent sense of self-of a stable external world and a coherent sense of self-identity. It is 'faith' in the reliability and integrity of identity. It is 'faith' in the reliability and integrity of others that is at stake here…trust, interpersonal others that is at stake here…trust, interpersonal relations and a conviction of the 'reality' of things go relations and a conviction of the 'reality' of things go hand in hand in the social settings of adult lifehand in hand in the social settings of adult life

Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.51-52Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.51-52

Trust & ExpertiseTrust & Expertise

expert systems bracket time and space through expert systems bracket time and space through deploying modes of technical knowledge which deploying modes of technical knowledge which have validity independent of the practitioners have validity independent of the practitioners and clients who use themand clients who use them

Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.18Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.18

That is, we no longer trust persons but That is, we no longer trust persons but systemssystems of which we know little of which we know little

High Modernity as Risk SocietyHigh Modernity as Risk Society

In the charged reflexive settings of high In the charged reflexive settings of high modernity, living on 'automatic pilot' becomes modernity, living on 'automatic pilot' becomes more and more difficult to domore and more difficult to do

Source: Modernity & self-identity p.125Source: Modernity & self-identity p.125

living in the "risk society" means living with a living in the "risk society" means living with a calculative attitude to the open possibilities of calculative attitude to the open possibilities of action, positive and negative, with which, as action, positive and negative, with which, as individuals and globally, we are confronted in a individuals and globally, we are confronted in a continuous waycontinuous way

Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.28 Source: Giddens 'Modernity & Self-Identity' p.28

Risk and HazardRisk and Hazard

Giddens (possibly) confuses these termsGiddens (possibly) confuses these terms

RiskRisk = likelihood of particular outcomes = likelihood of particular outcomes

HazardHazard = damage of particular outcomes = damage of particular outcomes

Arguably: Arguably:

Traditional societies = high risk, low hazardTraditional societies = high risk, low hazard

High Modernity = low risk, high hazardHigh Modernity = low risk, high hazard

Risk SocietyRisk Society

A society organised (A society organised (structurestructure) around the ) around the management of man-made (management of man-made (agencyagency) risks ) risks

We attempt to control (We attempt to control (structurestructure) risk through both ) risk through both personal and institutional risk assessment (personal and institutional risk assessment (agencyagency) ) but this itself is inherently risky (i.e. less than but this itself is inherently risky (i.e. less than reliable)reliable)

The Risk Society produces and distributes both The Risk Society produces and distributes both ‘goods’ (things, commodities) and ‘bads’ (risks ‘goods’ (things, commodities) and ‘bads’ (risks resulting from, in part, the production of goods) resulting from, in part, the production of goods) ((BeckBeck) )

Giddens & BeckGiddens & Beck

Giddens Giddens typical focus is on the risks of intimacy typical focus is on the risks of intimacy and the fragility of contemporary self-identityand the fragility of contemporary self-identity

Beck’sBeck’s typical focus is on the risks of large scale typical focus is on the risks of large scale processes e.g. environmental degradation, processes e.g. environmental degradation, nuclear disasternuclear disaster

Re-opening the agency/structure divide?Re-opening the agency/structure divide?