The Origins of Postmodernism

What is postmodernism - a style, philosophy, worldview, or a diagnosis of the epoch?

"The Origins of Postmodernism" by Perry Anderson is a book about how one of the most influential ideas of the second half of the 20th century was born and established. Here, postmodernism appears not as an abstract philosophical concept or a trend, but as a symptom of deep changes in culture and politics. Anderson shows that behind this term lies not only a play of forms in art but also a radical reconsideration of the very idea of history, progress, and the future.

The crisis of modernism, the decline of faith in universal projects, the global transition to a new stage of capitalism - all this serves as the background against which postmodernism takes shape. It is expressed in art that rejects strict rules, in philosophy that undermines previous authorities, and in politics that increasingly relies on media and imagery.

Perry Anderson meticulously analyzes key texts and discussions to show that postmodernism is not a "trend of the 80s", but a fundamental shift in culture, the consequences of which we still feel today.