The Study And Revelation On Lash’s Reflexive Modernization Theory

Modernization dilemma will happen in the high stage of modernization when modernization develops to a certain extent. Given this, the British sociologist Scott Lash attributes modernization dilemma to the internal defects of the subject-object cognitive model of the enlightenment rationality and puts forward the reflexive modernization theory which is based on the thought of aesthetic reflexivity from the perspective of aesthetics and culture.This paper studies Lash’s reflexive modernization theory from the following aspects on the basis of clarifying the theory origin and social background of the theory. Firstly, study the generating condition, the way of thinking, thinking media and function areas of aesthetic thinking of Lash’s reflexive modernization theory to reveal the profound connotation of aesthetic reflexivity; Secondly, study the intrinsic operation mechanism of reflexive modernization in such aspects as its subject, thinking mode, construction paths and the final result to explain how reflexive modernization breaks through the dilemma of modernization. Thirdly, locate Lash’s reflexive modernization theory into Chinese background on the basis of the above study results. Finally, evaluate Lash’s reflexive modernization theory. In addition, the last section of this paper discusses some important debates between institutionalism reflexive modernization theory and Lash’s reflexive modernization theory.Research has shown that:firstly, the aesthetic thinking of Lash’s reflexive modernization theory is put forward on the basis of cognitive reflexive dilemma, the spring of information and communication structure and the balance relationship between human and nature. The aesthetic thinking is called aesthetic reflexive which thinks of the life world in the way of intra-subjectivity thinking under the guidance of the media of symbol system. Secondly, Lash’s reflexive modernization is built by the social marginal group under the guidance of aesthetic reflexivity, including the constantly deconstruction of the former modernization foundation and the constantly construction of the new modernization foundation by the symbolic system, which leads to risk culture. Thirdly, the localization study on Lash’s reflexive modernization theory is to build the risk culture with Chinese characteristics which has the operation model of "public participation, government leading, media guidance" on the basis of absorbing our traditional culture resource fully.