Modernity and Postmodernity

Pre-modern society

Giddens - development

• Hunting and gathering societies: simple division of labour, little inequality, elders had more power
• Pastoral societies: based on domesticated animals, usually nomadic, more social inequality, could accumulate wealth (animals)
• Agrarian societies: crop cultivation, domesticated animals, lived in settled villages, wealth through stocks of grain, more inequality 

Non-industrial civilisations

• Emerged 6000 years ago
• Based on rule of kings and emperors 
• Developed agrarian economy
• Specialised roles in art, science etc. 
• Widespread inequalities in wealth, power and status
• Think and act because of tradition, emotion and religion

Modern society

• Industrialism - started in 18th century Britain
• Production of goods using non-human power
• Urbanism - movement of most of the population from rural areas to towns and cities 
• New social classes developed e.g. ownership class and working class
• Military power, professional armed services
• Nation-state - clearly defined boundaries with power over may areas of civilians lives
• Liberal democracy - adult citizens can elect who governs them
• Change, pace of change greater e.g. World Wars, technology
• Act due to rational, scientific though and action, not tradition, emotion or religion alone
• Sociology took a scientific approach (Comte)

Late…