Ulrich Beck's Theory of Modernization

Modernization is often used as a means of describing the transition from traditional society to modernity. These different societies have distinctive characteristics as over time changes occur within the structure of society- the transition from traditional to industrial society for example. The world that we live in has recently witnessed an unprecedented acceleration of change and it is now necessary that these changes be investigated and studied in the context in which they are happening. In Beck's opinion, there is a change occurring in modern society that is not a question of what is happening within social structures rather what is happening to them (Beck et al, 2003:3). In this essay I set out to examine Beck's theory of reflexive modernization aiming to discover what is meant by its reflexivity. I will begin with a brief outline of reflexive modernization, and then examine in detail the distinctions between both first and second modern societies in order to gain an insight into the nature of the shift towards "reflexivity". I will briefly refer to Anthony Gidden's theory of reflexive modernization drawing parallels with Beck's own work. Finally I will conclude the essay explaining that the reflexivity in reflexive modernization refers to dissolving and re-modernization of first or "simple" modernity.…