Postmodernity and its Discontents

Beschreibung

When Freud wrote his classic Civilization and itsDiscontents, he was concerned with repression. Moderncivilization depends upon the constraint of impulse, the limitingof self expression. Today, in the time of modernity, Bauman argues, Freud's analysis nolonger holds good, if it ever did. The regulation of desire turnsfrom an irritating necessity into an assault against individualfreedom. In the postmodern era, the liberty of the individual isthe overriding value, the criterion in terms of which all socialrules and regulations are assessed. Postmodernity is governed bythe 'will to happiness': the result, however, is a sacrificing ofsecurity. The most prominent anxieties in our society today, Bauman shows,derive from the removal of security. The world is experienced asoverwhelmingly uncertain, uncontrollable and frightening.Totalitarian politics frightened by its awesome power; the newsocial disorder frightens by its lack of consistency and direction.The very pursuit of individual happiness corrupts and underminesthose systems of authority needed for a stable life. This book builds imaginatively upon Bauman's earlier contributionsto social theory. It consolidates his reputation as theinterpreter of postmodernity. The book will appeal to second-yearundergraduates and above in sociology, cultural studies, philosophyand anthropology.

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Zygmunt Bauman

Themen in »Postmodernity and its Discontents«

Gesellschaftstheorie Political Philosophy & Theory Political Science Politikwissenschaft Politische Philosophie u. Politiktheorie Social Theory Sociology Soziologie

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"For a penetrating discussion of the dilemmas which face postmoderncultural analysis, it is hard to beat." Third Way "This book has important things to say ... interesting andthought-provoking." The Times Higher EducationSupplement "Humane, impassioned essays." The Times LiterarySupplement
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