Modernism, postmodernism and global standards setting

Abstract

This paper discusses the key features of modernism and postmodernism, and critiques global standards setting from a postmodern theoretical perspective. The main areas of critique consist of the possibility of the creation of yet another totalizing discourse or grand narrative; debates around the particular and the universal; issues around representation; and power, knowledge and discursive formations. We argue that to treat modernism and postmodernism as a linear progression and as a bi‐polar categorization is to fall within the traps of modernism itself. We have thus avoided making a choice between modernism and postmodernism—between justification, objectivity, reason, universalism, proof and unity of science on the one hand and the postmodern emphases on language, power, and the particular, contingent and relational on the other hand.

Keywords:

• Modernism
• Postmodernism
• Global Standards
• Metanarratives
• Representation
• Power
• Language

Notes

Correspondence to: Vishanthie Sewpaul, School of Psychology, Centre for Social Work, University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa. Fax: +27‐31‐2602618; Email: [email protected]

We are indebted to some of our IASSW colleagues who have voluntarily, and of their own accord, translated the document into Swedish, Serbo‐Croatian, Danish, Italian and Chinese. Sven Hessle, a member of the Global Standards Committee, was responsible for getting the document translated into Swedish and Serbo‐Croatian. The following IASSW Board members networked with people in their regions: Iris Chi for the translation into Chinese and Helle Strauss for the translation into Danish. Annamaria Campanini, a member of the EC, was responsible for the Italian translation.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vishanthie Sewpaul

Correspondence to: Vishanthie Sewpaul, School of Psychology, Centre for Social Work, University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa. Fax: +27‐31‐2602618; Email: [email protected]