Living in Modernity
Chapter 2 Discussion Questions

• What role does consumerism play in contemporary life? What is the relationship between people's clothing and their social identity and/or personality? Why might many people in the group be wearing similar styles or brands of clothing? Why do they buy expensive trainers, jeans, perfume or children's clothes rather than the cheapest? Issues to reflect on might include:
  1. Does clothing classify gender, age, class, occasion, time of day/week/year?
  2. Why do styles of clothing go in and out of fashion?
  3. Do we express our individuality through our clothing or are we dupes of marketing and advertising?
  4. Why is there greater preoccupation with appearance and fashion in modern societies in comparison with pre-modern societies?
  5. What influence does rationality have on modern forms of social organisation? Using Box 2.4, to what extent do you agree that modern society is characterised by McDonaldisation?

• The nation-state as a source of social identity.
  1. Is there a distinct national character?
  2. How do we share a common sense of identity with other national citizens despite never knowing or meeting most of them?
  3. What are the consequences of being 'stateless'?