Challenges to the Dominant Ideologies How can any single ideology encompass all facets of the social and political worlds? Postmodernism results from skepticism of ‘modern’ ideologies rooted in the Enlightenment…..a critique of ideologies? the Enlightenment - the omnipotence of reason – the search for ‘truth’ and a belief based on natural sciences Postmodernists suggest that the search for ultimate answers is futile…..the world is too diverse, fractured and uncertain… but, while postmodernists focus on ‘deconstruction,’ they never offer up solutions or alternative visions of the world there is no ‘master narrative,’ or as some call it – metanarrative – there is no objective truth or knowledge No one knows anything! some have argued postmodernism is the product of academia - that it is necessarily elitist in its discourse – as it relates too often to intellectuals, professors, academics et al.

Challenges to Traditional Ideologies….. Feminism Paradigm Shift? gender roles? work? societal organization? Patriarchy system of power that has been dominated by men decision-making laws agenda setting history-making gendering…. Do men and women learn gender roles or are differences inherited from nature? Examples? Results women’s lives controlled by patriarchal system…. women suffer worse outcomes – wealth, employment, health, physical security What does the word ‘feminism’ mean to you? Basic goal of feminism?

Feminism Are fundamental changes needed to improve the position of women in society? Has feminism achieved its objectives? a perspective that views society as patriarchal….and challenges traditional views held about women…… Liberal Feminism……also referred to as ‘first-wave’ feminism late 19th century – mid 20th century political, legal rights – suffragette movement marriage laws equal rights = equal opportunities? Economic rights – closing the wage gap? equal pay legislation the focus by ‘first-wave’ feminists had been on increasing access and representation for women in the world as it was…. ‘Radical’ Feminists/ Second Wave Feminists Postwar (1960s) problem is not merely ‘inequality’ – but the nature of the public realm itself – ‘patriarchal’ – as well as in family life Its not ‘equality’ that women want, but ‘liberation’....... The Feminine Mystique (1963) The Female Eunuch (1970) …the oppression of women through fundamental transformation of social institutions, values, relationships

Environmentalism What are the most pressing environmental issues of our age? …..a distinct perspective based on the idea that humanity needs to change its relationship to nature……there are fundamental environmental problems…..a vision for a ‘sustainable’ world? Are there limits to economic growth? What is the ‘value’ of nature? Is it but a commodity? Rise of Environmentalism? Silent Spring (1962) Earth as a fragile ecology, threatened by industrialization anti-capitalist movement of the 1960s…..protest movement environmental disasters Environmentalism – An ideology? reformist v. radical approaches ‘Ecocentrism’ nature as having an intrinsic value…..not simply use of nature for human use/purpose Is there a problem with this view of the world? …..Idea that humans can and deserve to control environments Rethinking our values system? reformist critics argue that as long as economic growth is sustainable, then it is permissible….. radicals see economic growth as incompatible with environmental protection.... Is Environmentalism an ideology?

Sustainability ……a most basic goal? …..in terms of maintaining the integrity of ecosystems ‘sustainable development’ ‘meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ the idea of global social justice to ensure a more equitable distribution of the world’s wealth and a concerted effort to reduce poverty ecological moderation? econ. growth need not depend on non-renewable resources…… production of environmental goods can be a source of econ. growth environmental damage is not cost-free economically….. Development and Sustainability Developed v. Developing Nations? How can an environmentally sustainable society best be achieved? Is there a sustainable model of development that will improve the lives of the people in the poorer countries without unduly adding to the environmental burden on their countries and the Earth as a whole? Are existing political structures enough to solve environmental problems? If not…..what, then? Agency Which social class or grouping is most likely to bring about change? the poor? the middle class? the rich?