Reflexive modernization
Encyclopedia
The concept of reflexive modernization was launched by a joint effort of three of the leading European sociologists - Anthony Giddens
, Ulrich Beck
and Scott Lash
. The introduction of this concept served a double purpose: to reassess sociology as a science of the present, since most sociological work was still using the dated conceptual framework of the beginning of the twentieth century; and, also to provide a counterbalance to the postmodernist paradigm (Jean-François Lyotard
, Jean Baudrillard
, etc.), offering a constructive view instead of the deconstructive postmodern theory, building upon previous notions such as postindustrial society (Daniel Bell
) and postmaterial society
(Ronald Inglehart
). This new paradigm was also embraced by sociologists such as Zygmunt Bauman
and Pippa Norris
.
The main thesis deals with the changes brought on by the realisation of modernity's ideals, such as universal suffrage
and education, the welfare state
, civil rights
, changes that marked the shift to the second modernity. The authors consider it a reflexive modernity because it opposes its earlier version, the same as the first modernity opposed feudal traditionalism. As a consequence, the institutions of the first modernity are beginning to crumble in the face of economic and cultural globalization. The state is starting to lose its importance with the rise of transnational
forces (corporations, NGOs), the family is splitting apart with rising divorce rates favoured by the flexibility of work and the women's liberation, losing its supportive function in the process, religion is reduced to a cultural artifact, traditional political action is boycotted because of a lack of identification with the parties' goals. Therefore all previous sources of solidarity lose momentum with the rise of individualization
.
Ulrich Beck focuses on the dissolution of traditional institutions and the rise of transnational forces, while promoting a new type solidarity in the face of the human made dangers of the risk society
. Giddens proposes a new wave of social policies aimed at reducing poverty in the face of the new modernity challenges. Bauman talks about the social effects of globalization, as it seems to create new divisions between the people connected to the global flux of information (the 'tourists') and those excluded from them, not needed as workforce anymore (the 'bums'). Ronald Inglehart studies the shift of human values from material to post-material in the Western societies by analysing the World Values Survey databases, and Pippa Norris stresses the importance of cultural globalization over economical globalization, while also talking about the new divisions, such as the digital divide
.
In reflexive modernization, the society all uses reflex sights to become modern and shape their future. This implies heavily that the society is violent and unstable.
Reflexive modernization is a process of modernization
that is characteristic of risk society
whereby progress is achieved through reorganization and "reform". Science and technology as it is used for the purpose of reflexive modernization is less concerned with expanding the resource
base, but rather with re-evaluating that which is already being used by society. There is a constant flow of information
between science
and industry
, and progress is achieved through the resulting reforms and adaptation
s. Examples of reflexive modernization that have recently gained political momentum are sustainability
and the precautionary principle
. The new social movements (feminist, green and pirate parties) are also considered to be an expression of reflexive modernization.
Anthony Giddens
Anthony Giddens, Baron Giddens is a British sociologist who is known for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies. He is considered to be one of the most prominent modern contributors in the field of sociology, the author of at least 34 books, published in at least 29...
, Ulrich Beck
Ulrich Beck
Ulrich Beck is a German sociologist who holds a professorship at Munich University and at the London School of Economics.-Life:...
and Scott Lash
Scott Lash
Scott Lash is a professor of sociology and cultural studies at Goldsmiths College, University of London.He took a BSc as in Psychology from the University of Michigan, an MA in Sociology from Northwestern University, and a PhD from the London School of Economics . Lash began his teaching career as...
. The introduction of this concept served a double purpose: to reassess sociology as a science of the present, since most sociological work was still using the dated conceptual framework of the beginning of the twentieth century; and, also to provide a counterbalance to the postmodernist paradigm (Jean-François Lyotard
Jean-François Lyotard
Jean-François Lyotard was a French philosopher and literary theorist. He is well known for his articulation of postmodernism after the late 1970s and the analysis of the impact of postmodernity on the human condition...
, Jean Baudrillard
Jean Baudrillard
Jean Baudrillard was a French sociologist, philosopher, cultural theorist, political commentator, and photographer. His work is frequently associated with postmodernism and post-structuralism.-Life:...
, etc.), offering a constructive view instead of the deconstructive postmodern theory, building upon previous notions such as postindustrial society (Daniel Bell
Daniel Bell
Daniel Bell was an American sociologist, writer, editor, and professor emeritus at Harvard University, best known for his seminal contributions to the study of post-industrialism...
) and postmaterial society
Post-materialism
The concept of post-materialism is a tool in developing an understanding of modern culture. It can be considered in reference of three distinct concepts of materialism...
(Ronald Inglehart
Ronald Inglehart
Ronald F. Inglehart is a political scientist at the University of Michigan. He is director of the World Values Survey, a global network of social scientists who have carried out representative national surveys of the publics of over 80 societies on all six inhabited continents, containing 85...
). This new paradigm was also embraced by sociologists such as Zygmunt Bauman
Zygmunt Bauman
Zygmunt Bauman is a Polish sociologist who, since 1971, has resided in England after being driven out of Poland by an anti-Semitic campaign, engineered by the Communist government which he had previously supported...
and Pippa Norris
Pippa Norris
Pippa Norris is the McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and ARC Laureate Fellow and Professor of Government at the University of Sydney...
.
The main thesis deals with the changes brought on by the realisation of modernity's ideals, such as universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
and education, the welfare state
Welfare state
A welfare state is a "concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those...
, civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
, changes that marked the shift to the second modernity. The authors consider it a reflexive modernity because it opposes its earlier version, the same as the first modernity opposed feudal traditionalism. As a consequence, the institutions of the first modernity are beginning to crumble in the face of economic and cultural globalization. The state is starting to lose its importance with the rise of transnational
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
forces (corporations, NGOs), the family is splitting apart with rising divorce rates favoured by the flexibility of work and the women's liberation, losing its supportive function in the process, religion is reduced to a cultural artifact, traditional political action is boycotted because of a lack of identification with the parties' goals. Therefore all previous sources of solidarity lose momentum with the rise of individualization
Individualization
Individualization may refer to*discrimination or perception of the individual within a group or species**identification in forensics and intelligence*the development of individual traits...
.
Ulrich Beck focuses on the dissolution of traditional institutions and the rise of transnational forces, while promoting a new type solidarity in the face of the human made dangers of the risk society
Risk society
"Risk society" is a term that emerged during the 1990s to describe the manner in which modern society organises in response to risk. The term is closely associated with several key writers on modernity, in particular Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck...
. Giddens proposes a new wave of social policies aimed at reducing poverty in the face of the new modernity challenges. Bauman talks about the social effects of globalization, as it seems to create new divisions between the people connected to the global flux of information (the 'tourists') and those excluded from them, not needed as workforce anymore (the 'bums'). Ronald Inglehart studies the shift of human values from material to post-material in the Western societies by analysing the World Values Survey databases, and Pippa Norris stresses the importance of cultural globalization over economical globalization, while also talking about the new divisions, such as the digital divide
Digital divide
The Digital Divide refers to inequalities between individuals, households, business, and geographic areas at different socioeconomic levels in access to information and communication technologies and Internet connectivity and in the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use the information...
.
In reflexive modernization, the society all uses reflex sights to become modern and shape their future. This implies heavily that the society is violent and unstable.
Reflexive modernization is a process of modernization
Modernization
In the social sciences, modernization or modernisation refers to a model of an evolutionary transition from a 'pre-modern' or 'traditional' to a 'modern' society. The teleology of modernization is described in social evolutionism theories, existing as a template that has been generally followed by...
that is characteristic of risk society
Risk society
"Risk society" is a term that emerged during the 1990s to describe the manner in which modern society organises in response to risk. The term is closely associated with several key writers on modernity, in particular Anthony Giddens and Ulrich Beck...
whereby progress is achieved through reorganization and "reform". Science and technology as it is used for the purpose of reflexive modernization is less concerned with expanding the resource
Natural resource
Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems....
base, but rather with re-evaluating that which is already being used by society. There is a constant flow of information
Information
Information in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
between science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
, and progress is achieved through the resulting reforms and adaptation
Adaptation
An adaptation in biology is a trait with a current functional role in the life history of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection. An adaptation refers to both the current state of being adapted and to the dynamic evolutionary process that leads to the adaptation....
s. Examples of reflexive modernization that have recently gained political momentum are sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
and the precautionary principle
Precautionary principle
The precautionary principle or precautionary approach states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those...
. The new social movements (feminist, green and pirate parties) are also considered to be an expression of reflexive modernization.