Living in Modernity
Chapter 2 Key Themes

This chapter provides important background material for the rest of the text.

1. The themes of modernity and postmodernity are central to the story that the book tells and further discussion of the theoretical debates underpinning this story can be found in Chapters 17 and 19.
   
2. Issues surrounding science and rationality are a central part of the modernist project and these can be followed through by reading Chapter 15 'Knowledge, Religion and Belief'.
   
3. The chapter introduces the important ideas of capitalism, alienation and exploitation as aspects of modern and postmodern living. Theoretical consideration of these aspects can be found in Chapter 17, especially the section on Marx. The impact of these upon social groups will be explored in Chapter 5 Social Class.