Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World

Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World Which one do you personally feel is strongest in explaining the family? Why do you feel this way? Postmodernism concept involved an extensive range of ideals practices and methods which incorporated several significant and philosophical notions considered to be postmodern. The most common being post structuralism and feminism. It is hardly considered as a philosophical movement but rather a concept of handling traditional practices and ideas in a non-traditional mode which is totally different from the common super structural methods. However the exact definition of postmodernism has never been fully established.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Postmodernism explains that most opinions on realities are social elements and are therefore likely to change. It puts emphasis on power relations, motivation in the rising of beliefs and ideas a s well as the role of language. It specifies the importance of differentiating male and female, white and black and colonial versus imperial. In addition it holds the reality of being dependent on the interested parties and the nature of those interests. It was claimed that there is no apparent truth in the world and that the way people view life is based on their cultures when growing up. Post-modernism had influenced several cultural fields such as music, architecture, history, religion, literature, sociology and visual arts (Santos, 1996). Relate the theory of the paper to social class Most scholars suggested that postmodernism was an uprising of ideas from the modern era. It was also termed as significant aspects of modernism. Since the term had so many ways of being expressed, the various aspects of modernity are criticized while they are chosen to be consistent. Arguments were raised on the basic nature of knowledge as known in philosophy. Those who consider the term meaningfu l argue that modernism has significant weaknesses in the knowledge system. The argument for the significance of the term implies that there has been establishment of decentralization of technological and economic factors. The media which has for a long time dominated perceptions of people was criticized as not being unique but would acquire information from each other. It was despised for lack of objectivity and meaning due to unreliable sources of communication. Globalization created pluralism and united the global community that lacked a domineering center of leadership or intellectual production. Moreover it was a force which caused decentralization of the modernized life by bringing creative ideas on manufacturing and communication (Ritzer, 1996). Why postmodernism? This is one of the elements that cover all sectors of a family. It gets easier to compare and contrast family values, cultures, and way of doing things as well as possible outcomes of upbringings.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strengths It is a liberating movement – Postmodernism offers reformations and a new way of doing things by showing concern to those who were oppressed in society. Those who have been in the modern times hardly went through oppression but rather some groups of women, ethnic minorities, racial groups and communities that were minimal in number. Those who also shared different opinions against the western cultures would go through oppression. In postmodernism, such groups were given the privilege of establishing their own sentiments as they thought right regarding gender, religion, race, oppression and politics. By championing the cause of the poor- Postmodernism presents the end of history that has been dominated by the western culture. It is therefore viewed as a phase of freedom because it liberates everyone who was bound in the boundaries of disco urse. In addition to this, people rejected the ruler ship of white people as they would call them. There was development even in the rural areas that had been neglected for a long time yet had potential. This portrayed a change in the defined roles because the third world gave its views and opinions according to their perceptions, but people opted to do their own research and present their views. However political movements determined a wide range of concepts and knowledge that would replace the western way of doing things. Cultural reinvention – Globalization is very significant in producing images that are related to the various traditions. As a result, pluralism and opinions on nationalism are managed in a better way. This form of managing pluralism can be defined as an enforcement of multiculturalism that gives way to the consistent birth of ethnic identities that would hardly compromise the set objectives of modernization. Cultural reinvention generally focuses on the va rious differences between the non western and western cultures.   Mass tourism and traditionalism – One of the results of globalization is mass tourism. This also is an important aspect of traditionalism. This provides a political and social cause for opposing a single model of cultures for modernization. Some of the programs based in communities for purposes of development are connected to traditionalism (Lee, 1994). Weaknesses Multiculturalism brings difficulties- It was argued that due to the knowledge gained from modern science, there was destruction of various forms of knowledge especially those that were strange to people who were dominated by western cultures. In effect, there was fear and silence amongst those with different views and their knowledge was dominated by destruction. This brought about crisis since people wondered how dialogue can be initiated in a multicultural way yet some cultures had been forced to remain quiet. It was therefore assumed that multi culturalism was implemented for a group of people who would later act like they were concerned with the non western cultures but would do nothing about it. Postmodernism is also Eurocentric met narrative- This implies that by rejecting the old met narratives was in another sense creating another one. Postmodernism was birthed in the west and had different views from modernity. Its main purpose was to destroy some of the old narratives such as history and tradition, and religion was controversial because it was these factors that brought a difference between the non western and the western. This is to say that postmodernists brought a new met narrative that helped establish the secular world. It was insisted that African civilization despised the ideas of the West. The non west was later marginalized because of the obsession by postmodernists who were full of cynicism and irony. Postmodernism barely deals with aspects of power because it hardly questions power structures, instead it establishes untrue notions that have caused the west to show respect to the non west by globalization. Therefore the process of including dialogue between the two cultures can be viewed as exclusion because the principles applied remain the same but the way of handling them is different. This shows a lack of commitment from the western, because they only do that to make it look like they have accommodated the non western. This brought questions like why it would be important to discuss a plan on development of the rural areas when the evaluators already have a method before it is implemented (Kellner, 1992). References Kellner, D. (1992). â€Å"Popular Culture and the Construction of Postmodern Identities.† New York: Oxford publishers. Lee, R. (1994). â€Å"Modernization, Postmodernism and the Third World.† London: Rout Ledge publishers. Ritzer, G. (1996). â€Å"Modern Sociological Theory.† New York: Macmillan publishers. Santos, D. (1996). â€Å"On Opposition al Postmodernism.† London: Rout ledge publishers.

Biography of Gilles de Rais 1404 - 1440

Biography of Gilles de Rais 1404 - 1440 Gilles de Rais was a French noblemen and noted soldier of the fourteenth century who was tried and executed for the murder and torture of numerous children. He is now remembered chiefly as a historical serial killer, but may have been innocent. Gilles de Rais as Noble and Commander Gilles de Laval, Lord of Rais (thus known as Gilles de (of) Rais), was born in 1404 at Champtocà © castle, Anjou, France. His parents were heirs to wealthy land holdings: the lordship of Rais and part of the Laval family possessions on his father’s side and lands belonging to a branch of the Craon family through his mother’s side. He also married into a wealthy line in 1420, uniting with Catherine de Thouars. Consequently Gilles was once of the richest men in the whole of Europe by his teens. He has been described as keeping a more lavish court than even the French king, and he was a great patron of the arts. By 1420 Gilles was fighting in the wars over the succession rights to the Duchy of Brittany, before being involved in the Hundred Years War, fighting against the English in 1427. Having proved himself an able, if brutal and low level, commander, Gilles found himself alongside Joan of Arc, taking part in several battles with her, including the famed rescue of Orlà ©ans in 1429. Thanks to his success, and the crucial influence of Gilles’ cousin, Georges de Ka Trà ©moille, Gilles became a favorite of King Charles VII, who appointed Gilles Marshall of France in 1429; Gilles was only 24 years old. He spent more time with Jeanne’s forces until her capture. The scene was set for Gilles to go on and have a major career, after all, the French were beginning their victory in the Hundred Years War. Gilles de Rais as Serial Killer By 1432 Gilles de Rais had largely retreated to his estates, and we dont really know why. At some stage his interests turned to alchemy and the occult, perhaps after an order, sought by his family in 1435, barred him from selling or mortgaging anymore of his lands and he needed money to continue his lifestyle. He also, possibly, began the kidnap, torture, rape and murder of children, with the number of victims ranging from 30 to upwards of 150 given by different commentators. Some accounts claim this ended up costing GIlles more money as he invested in occult practices which didnt work but cost regardless. We have avoided giving too much detail on Gilles crimes here, but if youre interested a search on the web will bring up the accounts. With one eye on these infractions, and possibly another on seizing Gilles’ land and possessions, the Duke of Brittany and the Bishop of Nantes moved to arrest and prosecute him. He was seized in September 1440 and tried by both ecclesiastical and civil courts. At first he claimed to be not guilty, but â€Å"confessed† under threat of torture, which is no confession at all; the ecclesiastical court found him guilty of heresy, the civil court guilty of murder. He was sentenced to death and hanged on October 26th 1440, being held up as a model of penitence for recanting and apparently accepting his fate. There is an alternative school of thought, one which argues that Gilles de Rais was set-up by the authorities, who had an interest in taking what remained of his wealth, and was actually innocent. The fact his confession was extracted through threat of torture is cited as evidence of severe doubt. Gilles wouldnt be the first European who was set up so people could take wealth, and remove power, by jealous rivals, and the Knights Templar are a very famous example, while Countess Bathory is in much the same position as Gilles, only in her case it looks very likely she was set up instead of just possible. Bluebeard The character of Bluebeard, recorded in a seventeenth century collection of fairy tales called Contes de ma mà ¨re l’oye (Tales of Mother Goose), is believed to be partly based on Breton folk tales which are, in turn, partly based on Gilles de Rais, although the murders have become of wives rather than children.