Series | Ca’ Foscari Japanese Studies
Edited book | New Steps in Japanese Studies
Chapter | Multiple Modernities and Japan
Multiple Modernities and Japan
Nagai Kafū and H.G. Wells
Abstract
This article aims to explore the analytical framework and its basic premises to consider the situation of current societies as multiple second modernities under glocalization and deals with Japan as its case study. This paper analyses different patterns of relationships among the individual, the intermediate group and the state in each region/local area, and tracks the transformation of those patterns in the contemporary society. Sometimes the structural tension inherent in modern society between traditional and more ‘contractual’ elements after modern, is expressed in the institutional patterns of the relations among the individual, the intermediate group and the state in each area. In current society, which is the age of multiple second modernities, the relational pattern is expressed in the configuration of individuality (not individual), intermediate networks (not intermediate group) and transforming state (not just state). To observe the distinctness of each locality in plurality, we need to consider not only the institutional structure of these three factors but also the more fundamental logic for collectivity/individual formation in each society in question. Considering the example of Nagai Kafū’s and H.G. Wells’ works, the article investigates this issue. In considering these issues, the article focuses on contemporary Japan as one of the cases of the multiple second modernities under glocalization based on the observation of Japan’s historical and cultural distinctness.
Submitted: Feb. 1, 2016 | Accepted: March 30, 2016 | Language: en
Keywords Multiple Modernities • Intermediate Group • Glocalization
Copyright © 2017 Yui Kiyomitsu. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.14277/6969-152-2/CFJS-5-3
