We live in a modern age, but what does 'modern' mean and how can a
reflection on 'modernity' help us to understand the world today?
These are the questions that Peter Wagner sets out to answer in
this concise and accessible book. Wagner begins by returning to the
question of modernity's Western origins and its claims to open up a
new and better era in the history of humanity. Modernity's claims
and expectations have become more prevalent and widely shared, but
in the course of their realization and diffusion they have also
been radically transformed. In an acute and engaging analysis,
Wagner examines the following key issues among others: - Modernity
was based on the hope for freedom and reason, but it created the
institutions of contemporary capitalism and democracy. How does the
freedom of the citizen relate to the freedom of the buyer and
seller today? And what does disaffection with capitalism and
democracy entail for the sustainability of modernity?- Rather than
a single model of modernity, there is now a plurality of forms of
modern socio-political organisation. What does this entail for our
idea of progress and our hope that the future world can be better
than the present one?- All nuance and broadening notwithstanding,
our concept of modernity is in some way inextricably tied to the
history of Europe and the West. How can we compare different forms
of modernity in a 'symmetric', non-biased or non-Eurocentric way?
How can we develop a world-sociology of modernity?
General
Imprint: |
Polity Press
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
2012 |
First published: |
2012 |
Authors: |
P. Wagner
|
Dimensions: |
246 x 139 x 14mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
160 |
Edition: |
New |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-7456-5291-7 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
General
|
LSN: |
0-7456-5291-3 |
Barcode: |
9780745652917 |
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