Globalisation and Modernity
Chapter 3 Key Themes

• Globalisation provides the conceptual backdrop for much of the material in the text. The processes associated with globalisation are explored in many chapters, for example in Chapter 5, the implications of the globalisation of production for social class are discussed. In particular, the importance of global processes for the mass media are shown in detail in Chapter 12.

• Fordism and Post-Fordism are introduced at this juncture as an important dichotomy between modern and postmodern forms of production. These are investigated in more detail in Chapter 11 'Work and Non-work'.

• Reflexivity as a condition of the modern and postmodern individual is put forward as an important component of the social being. The discussion of reflexivity is pursued theoretically in Chapter 19. For an account of reflexivity in a substantive topic, see the section on the 'Active pupil' in Chapter 10 Education.