ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the rise of modern societies and how these were very different from those which had existed previously. During the relatively unchallenged confident modern years, there were different, often competing perspectives and these theories – ideologies and ‘isms’ – sought to explain in their own terms the nature and purpose of society, how it worked and in whose interest this all occurred. People understood that by following their particular perspective or grand theory – whether it be liberal democracy, conservatism, fascism, socialism, communism or others – things would eventually get better All you needed to do was follow and have faith in the sacred texts prescribed by your particular grand theory, which was usually supported by some form of research and scholarship which you could claim to be neutral and objective. Social engineering, welfarism and the manipulation and/or even the changing of ‘the system’ would bring about a better world. People were confident that this would happen. It was just necessary to follow the tenets of the sacred texts and the subsequent action they proposed, and all would be well. This was the age of moral certainty.
