Postmodernism (AQA A Level Sociology): Revision Note

Postmodernism

• Postmodernism is a sociological perspective that argues society has undergone a fundamental shift since the mid to late 20th century

• It claims we have moved from a modern to a postmodern society that is:

  • Less structured and more unpredictable, as there’s no one 'normal' way to live

  • Culturally diverse, as there is more variation in lifestyles, beliefs and identities than ever before

  • Media-saturated as media blurs the line between reality and image

  • Shaped by consumer choice rather than fixed roles like class or religion

  • Global and interconnected, as events in one part of the world influence lives everywhere

• Individuals have more choice and freedom, but this creates a world that feels less stable

• Postmodernists argue that society today is shaped less by structures like class and more by global culture, technology, and consumer lifestyles

Knowledge and the Enlightenment project

• Modern society was based on the Enlightenment idea that we could discover objective knowledge through science and use it to improve the world

• Postmodernists reject this – they argue there are no universal truths, only different ‘discourses’ (ways of understanding the world)

• Lyotard (1984) argues that the defining feature of postmodernity is 'incredulity towards metanarratives'

  • Metanarratives are big theories or stories that claim to explain everything (e.g., Marxism, functionalism, the Enlightenment project itself)

  • Lyotard argued people no longer believe in these grand stories because they are too simplistic and often used to justify domination

  • Instead, knowledge today is fragmented into 'language games' – small, localised ways of understanding the world, none more valid than the others

• If no one truth exists, we cannot use science to guarantee progress or solve society’s problems

Baudrillard: simulacra and hyper-reality

• Baudrillard (1983) – postmodern societies are hyper-real, dominated by simulacra (copies or signs of reality) found in theme parks, adverts, films, and TV

• These simulations can seem more real than reality itself

• The media blurs the line between image and reality, making it hard to tell them apart

  • E.g., on social media, people often believe carefully curated images of appearance, lifestyles, or parenting reflect reality

Culture, identity and politics

• In postmodern society, identity is less shaped by fixed social roles and more by individual choice and consumption

  • People create their identities through the brands they buy, the music they listen to, or the lifestyles they follow

• Globalisation mixes cultures, leading to hybrid identities that combine elements from different traditions

• Politics is now more fragmented – instead of focusing on class struggle, movements are often centred on single issues like the environment, gender equality, or human rights

Modern vs postmodern society

Evaluation of postmodernism

Strengths

• Reflects social change

  • One strength is that postmodernism is praised for recognising the importance of identity, media, and globalisation in shaping modern life

  • It reflects the complexity and diversity of today’s world, where traditional categories (e.g., class or gender roles) are less rigid

• Explains family diversity

  • It highlights the rise of diverse family forms (e.g., LATs, same-sex families, reconstituted families) and acknowledges how individual choice and personal fulfilment influence family life

• Challenges grand narratives

  • Postmodernism questions the universal claims of perspectives like Marxism and functionalism, which often assume a single “normal” family or social structure

Criticisms

• Lack of empirical evidence

  • Postmodernism makes broad claims about society but is often accused of being vague and untestable

  • Critics say it lacks scientific evidence and relies too much on theory rather than research

• Overstates change

  • Postmodernists suggest society has completely changed, but many argue modern structures like class, gender, and ethnicity still matter

    • E.g., poverty and inequality continue to affect life chances in very real ways

• Ignores power and inequality

  • Unlike Marxism or feminism, postmodernism often overlooks inequality and the role of powerful institutions

  • It doesn’t explain why some groups have more access to choice and identity than others