PostModernist-Political

Postmodernist Political, Religious, and Social History Meredith D.

There are several events that changed the [|political views] of Americans. WWII marked the transition into the [|postmodernist era] and definitely changed Americans political opinions. The main focus of our foreign policy was containment, or trying to stop communism around the world. The Vietnam War also changed American's political views. This also hapened after 9/11 when security was drastically tightened. During this postmodernism period, social views became more accepting of untraditional beliefs, like homosexuals and different religions. Some of the principles that make up the [|foundation of postmodernism] are:
 * There is no absolute truth - Postmodernists believe that the notion of truth is a contrived illusion, misused by people and special interest groups to gain power over others.
 * Truth and error are synonymous - Postmodernists claim that facts are too limiting to determine anything. They can change randomly, so what is fact today can be false tomorrow.
 * Self-conceptualization and rationalization - Traditional logic and objectivity are rejected by postmodernists. Preferring to rely on opinions rather than embrace facts, postmodernist reject the scientific method.
 * Traditional authority is false and corrupt - Postmodernists speak out against the constraints of religious morals and secular authority. They wage intellectual revolution to voice their concerns about traditional establishment. They have more liberal political views.
 * Ownership - They claim that collective ownership would most fairly administrate goods and services.
 * Disillusionment with modernism - Postmodernists regret the unfulfilled promises of science, technology, government, and religion.
 * Morality is personal - Believing ethics to be relative, postmodernists subject morality to personal opinion. They define morality as each person’s private code of ethics without the need to follow traditional values and rules.
 * Globalization – Many postmodernists claim that national boundaries are a barrier to human communication. Nationalism, they believe, causes wars. Therefore, postmodernists often propose internationalism and uniting separate countries. [[image:http://sitemaker.umich.edu/betteramerica/files/donkey-democrat-logo.jpg width="112" height="148"]]
 * All religions are valid - Valuing inclusive faiths, postmodernists gravitate towards New Age religion. They denounce the exclusive claims of Jesus Christ as being the only way to God.
 * Liberal ethics - Postmodernists defend the cause of feminists and homosexuals. A more liberal point of view.
 * Pro-environmentalism - Defending “Mother Earth,” postmodernists blame Western society for its destruction. Again, a more liberal point of view

Web Scavenger Hunt!
 * 1) What is one of the historical events that shaped the political views of the postmodernist era?
 * 2) Did social views in general become more or less excepting of homosexuals?
 * 3) How do postmodernists feel about the scientific method and technology?
 * 4) What are their beliefs about religion?
 * 5) Are the ideas of postmodernism more traditional or more progressive?