Andreas Reckwitz, Modernity, progress from

Reading Andreas Reckwitz, Modernity, and Progress: A Review

The Return of Modernity

Andreas Reckwitz's 'Modernity, Progress' is an ambitious work that seeks to trace the history of modernity and its relationship to progress. Reckwitz argues that modernity is not a linear, inevitable process but rather a series of contingent and contested social formations. He identifies three main stages of modernity: the first, from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, was characterized by the rise of industrialization and the bourgeois revolution; the second, from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, was marked by the growth of nation-states and the spread of mass culture; and the third, from the mid-20th century to the present, has been dominated by globalization and digitalization.

The Ambiguous Relationship between Modernity and Progress

Reckwitz argues that the relationship between modernity and progress is complex and ambiguous. On the one hand, modernity has brought about undeniable improvements in living standards, including increased life expectancy, reduced poverty, and expanded access to education and healthcare. On the other hand, modernity has also been accompanied by a range of negative consequences, including inequality, environmental degradation, and alienation.

The Future of Modernity

Reckwitz concludes by arguing that modernity is not coming to an end but rather is entering a new phase. This new phase will be characterized by a blurring of the boundaries between the public and private spheres, a heightened sense of uncertainty, and a growing distrust of authority. Reckwitz argues that we must be prepared for the challenges that lie ahead and work to create a more just and sustainable future.

Assessment

Reckwitz's 'Modernity, Progress' is a major contribution to the study of modernity. It is a comprehensive and theoretically sophisticated work that provides a valuable new perspective on the relationship between modernity and progress. Reckwitz's work is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of our world.