Radical change is rapidly taking place across the globe in the contemporary society. This change has indeed posed myriads of challenges in regards to the enlightenment-based modernity. The society is now resorting to unconventional means of doing things. In other words, the socio-political arena has been significantly modified. The author describes the first modernity as the territorial understanding of communities, networks and social relations. The first modernity also represents the collective patterns of life. The human desire has often been to explore the deeper meaning of life. Nonetheless, it is pertinent to understand that the first and second modernity are closely related to each other. The author describes the world as a risky platform where both the western and non-western states share a common platform and the related challenges. The main differences between the western nations and the non-western states are the cultural perceptions, time and geography.
Transnational independence has been accelerated by socioeconomic, cultural and political discourses. In fact, globalization emerged as an outstanding phenomenon during the second modernity. The emerging global society should be included in the analysis of the challenges presented by the second modernity.
Risk definition is also a vital concept in a society that faces a multitude of risks. Political mobilization has been significantly boosted by risks. Hence, disparities that emerge within gender, race or class are gradually being replaced with several political mobilizations across the world. For example, the free market economics emerged as a formidable force during the late years of the past Millennium.
A close relationship exists between risk and responsibility. Most of the modern political conflicts in society have worsened due to the inability of political leaders to interconnect risk and responsibility. It may not just be enough to take political risks without taking the full responsibility of the political effects that emerge thereafter. Another interesting concept from the readings is the “me society” as pointed out by the author. It appears that the rest of the world is gradually embracing capitalistic systems. As a result, the narcissism culture, decline in values and weak solidarity have dominated most societies.
Cultural institutions are an important part of the national culture. Besides, symbols and representations are equally vital parameters of a national culture. Identities are constructed by national cultures. Perceptions coupled with imagination are critical in shaping the differences that exist among nations. Apparently, the perceived differences are mere imaginations and not realities.
Timelessness, tradition, continuity, and origins assist in identifying a nation. The invention of tradition and the folklores are also used to define national identities. This implies that the national culture can be deconstructed by both the identities and differences. Social classes, ethnic groups and gender also make up a nation as witnessed in the neo-imperial spheres of the western nations.
In regards to modernization, the author asserts that modernity has been dominated by national cultures and modern history. However, the identity of national cultures is being dislocated by the strong influence of globalization. The latter presents complex and powerful forces of change that cannot be easily ignored or eluded. Globalization transcends national boundaries and cultures. The classical sociological ideas are gradually being eradicated across several cultures. Globalization is also responsible for the sharp decline in the state of national identities. The modern society is characterized and strongly influenced by a global network. The new economy also heavily relies on the state of the current global network. In addition, the transformations of both space and time have been expedited with the elements of globalization. The artificial revival of nature is equally an interesting attribute associated with the impacts of globalization.
Discussion and examples
From the above summaries, it is pertinent to mention that the element of the second modernity has been expedited largely through globalization. The world has become a global village by design because there are key players who desire to control the planet. For example, globalization has brought about similar political systems across the board. In particular, democracy has emerged as a formidable political culture in the modern age in spite of its several setbacks. In any case, the worst political conflicts in Africa have taken place in the presence of democratic cultures. The political turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sothern Sudan which ceded itself from the Arab north are critical examples to this effect.
The aspect of the free market economy has also aggravated the state of several political economies. The past few decades have witnessed an increased number of regional and continental trade agreements. Tariff elimination and the creation of a favorable business environment have been cited as some of the core benefits of these agreements. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is one of the trade pacts. In spite of the intended goals, the quota system and the purported tariff elimination have only benefitted stable economies. The key domestic sectors in weaker economies have missed out the opportunities arising from such trade deals. Worse still, globalization has interfered with the socioeconomic and political economies of poor states.