Modernity: Understanding the Present

0/5 ( ratings)

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?

Language: English

Pages: 160

Format: Paperback

Release: February 21, 2012

ISBN 13: 9780745652917

Modernity: Understanding the Present

Peter Wagner

0/5 ( ratings)

Read Download

Language: English

Pages: 160

Format: Paperback

Release: February 21, 2012

ISBN 13: 9780745652917

More books from Peter Wagner

The Life and Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves

Subscribe to Read | $0.00

Popular Genres

Subscribe to Read | $0.00

Modernity: Understanding the Present

Modernity: Understanding the Present

Modernity: Understanding the Present

More books from Peter Wagner

The Life and Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves

A History and Theory of the Social Sciences: Not All That Is Solid Melts Into Air

Reading Iconotexts: From Swift to the French Revolution

Wofür es gut ist: Was Menschen aus ihrem Leben lernen

Omega Iota Fitness: Book Four: The True Arts

Gnadenlose Gedanken

The Economy as a Polity: The Political Constitution of Contemporary Capitalism

Gott ist eine Ratte (German Edition)

The Economy as a Polity: The Political Constitution of Contemporary Capitalism (Ucl S)

Straßenblaue Augen (German Edition)

The Trouble with Democracy: Political Modernity in the 21st Century

Greek Polis and the Invention of Democracy: A Politico-Cultural Transformation and Its Interpretations

Social Sciences and Modern States: National Experiences and Theoretical Crossroads (Advances in Political Science)

Fundamental Solutions of Linear Partial Differential Operators: Theory and Practice

European Modernity: A Global Approach

Theorizing Modernity: Inescapability and Attainability in Social Theory

Varieties of World Making: Beyond Globalization

Modernity as Experience and Interpretation: A New Sociology of Modernity

Discourses on Society: The Shaping of the Social Science Disciplines

Die Geister, die mich riefen