CAm and alternative therapies: why is there a resurgence in the UK?
Some reasons are given, and a rather convincing explanation is
presented. Quite useful, if you are interested in that.
Table of Contents
1. Consumerism, modernity, pluralism and the resurgence of CAM
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the reasons behind the resurgence of alternative medicine in the UK, framed within the sociological contexts of modernity, pluralism, and consumerism. It seeks to answer the research question: What are the drivers for the increased societal relevance of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the current health system?
- Defining the theoretical concepts of modernity, pluralism, and consumerism in relation to healthcare.
- Examining the historical transition of biomedical dominance during the 19th-century industrialization.
- Analyzing the impact of "second modernity" and its negative societal side-effects on the rise of alternative therapies.
- Discussing the democratization of the medical system through increased patient choice and competition.
- Evaluating the shifting power dynamics between institutionalized medical professions and public interest.
Excerpt from the Book
Consumerism, modernity, pluralism and the resurgence of CAM
As answer to this task, first, the concept of CAM and the sometimes ambiguously used and interconnected terms modernity, pluralism and consumerism will be defined, followed by an essay demonstrating that 19th century disappearance and end-20th century resurgence of CAM are both intrinsically bound to modernity, reflecting its two phases: a first phase characterised through unlimited belief in progress through rationality and a second phase when, with consciousness of the limits of this approach, laymen determine the structure of the health system through their choice for alternative treatments, thereby weakening power structures based on claims of rationality but also forcing alternative treatment into the rigour of the scientific method.
First, to define the basic concepts of this essay, Modernity will here be understood as the time from (mid) 19th century industrialisation up to the present, characterised through a world-view based on mechanistic models and success of engineering, urbanisation and individualism (Wikipedia). The formation of the modern world-view can be seen as a two-phased process: Science-based industrialisation allowed supplementing and magnifying of human strength by mechanical means. This results in a change of mentality where the belief of dependency of (super-) natural forces is substituted with belief in the abilities of humankind, a “Promethean” outlook where all difficulties can be resolved through human means, and a consequent turn towards the individual (Inglehard/Welzel 2005).
Summary of Chapters
1. Consumerism, modernity, pluralism and the resurgence of CAM: This chapter provides the foundational definitions for key terms and outlines the central argument that the rise and fall of alternative medicine is deeply tied to the two distinct phases of modern development.
Keywords
Consumerism, Modernity, Pluralism, CAM, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Biomedical Medicine, Industrialization, Rationality, Second Modernity, Globalization, Public Health, Medical Monopoly, Patient Choice, Sociology, Scientific Method
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this publication?
The work explores the sociological reasons for the resurgence of alternative medicine in the United Kingdom, arguing that this phenomenon is inextricably linked to the progression of modernity.
What are the core thematic fields addressed?
The core themes include the history of medicine, the sociology of professions, the impact of globalization on healthcare, and the shifting relationship between scientific rationality and consumer choice.
What is the primary research question?
The research seeks to identify the specific drivers that have led to the resurgence of alternative medicine within the British public health context.
Which scientific methods are applied in this study?
The work utilizes a sociological and historical analysis, drawing upon theoretical frameworks such as functionalism, Marxism, and Neo-Weberian sociology to interpret power struggles within the medical field.
What subjects are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the transition from 19th-century industrial dominance of biomedicine to the "second modernity," where globalization and a critical stance toward scientific limitations facilitate the growth of alternative therapies.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Modernity, CAM, Consumerism, Pluralism, Biomedical dominance, and Social power structures.
How does the concept of "second modernity" relate to CAM?
The "second modernity" introduces a societal confrontation with the negative side-effects of industrialization, prompting a rejection of purely scientific dogmas and fostering an environment where alternative, non-Western therapies can flourish.
In what way does the author suggest that consumerism benefits the healthcare system?
The author argues that in a neutral sense, consumerism forces competition, which helps dismantle solidified medical monopolies and encourages the professionalization of alternative practices through the rigor of scientific standards.
- Arbeit zitieren
- M.A. Christopher Knapp (Autor:in), 2007, Alternative therapies in the UK , München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/215004
