Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern AgeThis major study develops a new account of modernity and its relation to the self. Building upon the ideas set out in The Consequences of Modernity, Giddens argues that 'high' or 'late' modernity is a post traditional order characterised by a developed institutional reflexivity. In the current period, the globalising tendencies of modern institutions are accompanied by a transformation of day-to-day social life having profound implications for personal activities. The self becomes a 'reflexive project', sustained through a revisable narrative of self identity. The reflexive project of the self, the author seeks to show, is a form of control or mastery which parallels the overall orientation of modern institutions towards 'colonising the future'. Yet it also helps promote tendencies which place that orientation radically in question - and which provide the substance of a new political agenda for late modernity. In this book Giddens concerns himself with themes he has often been accused of unduly neglecting, including especially the psychology of self and self-identity. The volumes are a decisive step in the development of his thinking, and will be essential reading for students and professionals in the areas of social and political theory, sociology, human geography and social psychology. |
Contents
Ontological Security and Existential Anxiety | |
The Trajectory of the Self | |
Fate Risk and Security | |
The Sequestration of Experience | |
Tribulations of the Self | |
The Emergence of Life Politics | |
Notes | |
Other editions - View all
Modernity and Self-Identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age Anthony Giddens Limited preview - 1991 |
Modernity and Self-identity: Self and Society in the Late Modern Age Anthony Giddens No preview available - 1991 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract systems action anorectic anorexia nervosa Anthony Giddens anxiety aspects basic trust become behaviour bodily body caretakers characteristic circumstances commodification concerned connections contexts cultures day-to-day death deskilling disembedding mechanisms dominant elements emancipatory politics emergence environment Ethnomethodology existence existential existential questions expert systems external extrinsic fateful moments feelings forms fundamental future global globalising guilt high modernity high-consequence risks human Ibid identity individual individual’s influences interaction internally referential systems intimacy intrinsic involved issues Lasch late modernity life-planning life-political lifespan lifestyle live marriage means mediated experience modern institutions modern social modernity’s modes moral narcissism narrative nature Norbert Elias ontological security person phenomenon possible potential pre-modern processes protective cocoon psychological psychological repression pure relationship reflexive project reflexivity of modernity repressed reproduction routines self-actualisation self-identity sense sequestration of experience settings sexual shame situation social activity social environment social relations society specific sphere super-ego systems of modernity therapy time-space traditional