Reflexive Modernization Essay ⋆ Sociology Essay Examples ⋆ EssayEmpire

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Ulrich Beck introduced the term reflexive modernity (also called second modernity) by explicitly demarcating himself from postmodern approaches which would imply that current developments go beyond modernity (Beck et al. 2003).

He first outlined his argument in Risk Society (1992). The central thesis is that modernity has transformed itself by the radicalized application of the core concepts of modern industrialized society (also called first modernity or simple modernity). Central principles (e.g., the distinction between nature and culture or science and politics), as well as basic institutions (e.g., the gender division of labor, the traditional family, the normal model of the life course), have been transformed into a new modernity.

Since ”reflexive” often causes misunderstandings Beck emphasizes that it does not mean that people in today’s society are more self-conscious than in the past. It indicates rather a heightened awareness that mastery of nature, technique, the social, and so on is impossible.

Originally, Beck (1992) developed the concept of reflexive modernization referring to the occurrence of a risk society and growing institutional individualization. New risks would occur as unexpected side effects of industrialization that take place in nature (e.g., climate change, depleted ozone layer) and as technical catastrophes (e.g., accidents in Bhopal, Chernobyl). They would erode the belief in the manageability of nature by science and thereby politicize risk decisions. Additionally, individualization processes would release people from traditional institutions, which at the same time erode and became supplanted by secondary institutions (e.g., labor market, welfare state, the media). Individualization demands individual decisions where routines and traditions prevailed before.

Reflexive modernization resonates in the discourse on social change in Britain. Beck et al. (1994) critically discussed social change in modernity. While Lash emphasized the cultural aspects of these changes (”risk culture”), Giddens prefers the expression ”institutional reflexivity” and emphasizes growing individual self-awareness and self-responsibility, which lead to more political considerations regarding a ”Third Way”. Beck developed his theoretical considerations into a general theory. He broadened the concept of social change from ”risk” and ”individualization” to a general change of central institutions and principles of first modernity into a reflexive modernity.

The multiplication of boundaries (or attempts to draw boundaries) is introduced as a central criterion to identify the change from first to reflexive modernity (Beck et al. 2003). For example, instead of one identity linked to a specific cultural background there is the possibility of several identities referring to different (often contradictory) backgrounds without the necessity to decide for one or the other. The result is in many respects a change from a so-called either-or society to a this-as-well-as-that world. Boundaries between nature and culture, life and death, knowledge and superstition, us and others, expert and laymen, for example, become blurred. In World at Risk, Beck (2008) published an overview about recent developments of his approach.

Although many of Beck’s observations are acknowledged, the theory itself is still contested. It is criticized as often being too general to explain concrete behavior and its lack of empirical evidence.

Bibliography:

Beck, U. (1992) Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. Sage, Newbury Park, CA.
Beck, U., Giddens, A., & Lash, S. (1994) Reflexive Modernization: Politics, Tradition and Aesthetics in the Modern Social Order. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA.
Beck, U., BonB, W., & Lau, C. (2003) The theory of reflexive modernization: problematic, hypotheses and research programme. Theory, Culture and Society 20 (2): 1—33.