The Consequences of Modernity - Couverture souple

Giddens, Anthony

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 0804718911 ISBN 13 : 9780804718912

Editeur : Stanford University Press, 1991

Synopsis

In this major theoretical statement, the author offers a new and provocative interpretation of institutional transformations associated with modernity. What is modernity? The author suggests, "As a first approximation, let us simply say the following: 'modernity' refers to modes of social life or organization which emerged in Europe from about the seventeenth century onwards and which subsequently became more or less worldwide in their influence."

We do not as yet, the author argues, live in a post-modern world. The distinctive characteristics of our major social institutions in the closing years of the twentieth century suggest that, rather than entering into a period of post-modernity, we are moving into a period of "high modernity" in which the consequences of modernity are becoming more radicalized and universalized than before. A post-modern social universe may eventually come into being, but this as yet lies on the other side of the forms of social and cultural organization that currently dominate world history.

In developing a fresh characterization of the nature of modernity, the author concentrates on the themes of security versus danger and of trust versus risk. Modernity is a double-edged phenomenon. The development of modern social institutions has created vastly greater opportunities for human beings to enjoy a secure and rewarding existence than in any type of pre-modern system. But modernity also has a somber side that has become very important in the present century, such as the frequently degrading nature of modern industrial work, the growth of totalitarianism, the threat of environmental destruction, and the alarming development of military power and weaponry.

The book builds upon the author's previous theoretical writings and will be of great interest to those who have followed his work through the years. However, this book covers issues the author has not previously analyzed and extends the scope of his work into areas of pressing practical concern.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

In this major theoretical statement, the author offers a new and provocative interpretation of the institutional transformations associated with modernity. We do not as yet, he argues, live in a post–modern world. Rather the distinctive characteristics of our major social institutions in the closing period of the twentieth century express the emergence of a period of ′high modernity,′ in which prior trends are radicalised rather than undermined. A post–modern social universe may eventually come into being, but this as yet lies ′on the other side′ of the forms of social and cultural organization which currently dominate world history.

In developing an account of the nature of modernity, Giddens concentrates upon analyzing the intersections between trust and risk, and security and danger, in the modern world. Both the trust mechanisms associated with modernity and the distinctive ′risk profile′ it produces, he argues, are distinctively different from those characteristic of pre–modern social orders.

This book build upon the author′s previous theoretical writings, and will be of fundamental interest to anyone concerned with Gidden′s overall project. However, the work covers issues which the author has not previously analyzed and extends the scope of his work into areas of pressing practical concern. This book will be essential reading for second year undergraduates and above in sociology, politics, philosophy, and cultural studies.

Biographie de l'auteur

Anthony Giddens is a Fellow of King′s College and Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge. Other books to his credit include The Constitution of Society (1984, Polity Press) and The Nation–State and Violence (1985, Polity Press).

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Stanford University Press
• Date d'édition: 1991
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0804718911
• ISBN 13: 9780804718912
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 188
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible