The Institutional Dimensions Of Modernity

This essay is to present an systematic interpretation of Giddens' modernity theory. From the viewpoint of Giddens' thought development, the modernity theory and the structururation theory and the state theory have close connections. Only on this foundation can the richness of his theory of modernity be understood. Around this topic, which is the theme of Giddens' academic career, the author analyzes Gidden' s theory from the perspective of development. This essay is divided into seven parts. Apart from the preface and epilogue, the body of the article consists of five chapters .The main contents of each part go as the following:In the preface, author makes an outline of the different three stages of Giddens' thought development, and points out the connection of his theory of modernity with his thought before and after that. After surveying the current studies of Giddens' modernity theory domestic and abroad, on the foundation of analyzing his concept of modernity, the author presents the framework of the article.In chapter one, the author analyzes the structururation theory and the related power theory and surveillance theory,and Giddens'peculiar conception of time and space in his social theory. Before studying modernity, Giddens had put forward the duality of structure theory, which is a new perpective of the relation of action and control, and by which he rebuilt a new methodology for studying modernity. Therefore the duality of structure theory is the prerequisite for understanding his modernity theory.In chapter two, the author presents a historical analysis of the key elements of Giddens'modernity theory, while he was undertaking the study of the changes of states, Giddens made the first-stepped analysis of the main elements relevant to modernity. Therefore, in order to comprehend his modernity theory, one cannot neglect his state theory. By comparing the traditional state and the nation-state, the author tries to clarify such elements as administration and surveillance and the industrialization of war which are revelant to modernity.Chapter three elaborates Giddens' modernity theory. The author examines Giddens'view of the dynamics of modernity and the institutional dimensions of...