Living in a Post-traditional Society

This classic writing of Anthony Giddens was published in 1994 together with Ulrich Beck and Scott Lash in the joint volume Reflexive Modernization. The work is the compact summary of Giddens’ theory on modernity. Giddens rejects postmodern theorist’s views on the course of modernity, as he states, that we don’t live in a radically new era. The present, namely the late modernity is characterised by the overflow of modernity, which changed the classic structures of modernity. Premodern societies were traditional societies: they based upon the continuous, active and meaningful reconstruction of tradition. The formulaic truth was defended by specialized guardians. Modernity sought to liquidate tradition. In some respects this was successful: the old traditions were played down more or less, though new ones were created (cf. rites and emotions regarding the nation). Furthermore, in modern societies experts gain the similar unreflected trust like the guardians. A basic feature of modernity is trust in abstract systems. In post-traditionalist societies due to the overflow of modernity, there is no unconditional trust in the abstract systems of experts. Trust can be withdrawn instantly. Traditions (which could preserve some of their roles in modernity) lost their ability to structure everyday life. Daily routines should be organized by the actors – meanwhile they are dependent on abstract systems. Compulsiveness is the keyword of modernity and even more of late modernity, which refers to the exhaustion of meaningful actions. Traditions adapt to the new circumstances and so they become reflexive, upheld discursively, or turn into fundamentalism.