In this dissertation, I build on contemporary theoretical perspectives to interpret
characteristics of contemporary cowboy culture. Specifically, I target the image of the
cowboy in relation to solidarity. I assume that contemporary cowboy culture is an
illusion or simulacra of something, something maybe once authentic. Now, it is built
around language games, illusion, image and many other postmodern phenomena. Even
so, in this work I explore how postmodernism is useful, which many are hesitant to do.
This is a new twist or at least an interesting study in contrast to the enlightenment
project. I rely heavily on theoretical discussion, qualitative analysis, participant
observation and interpretive interactionism to accomplish this study and engage this
culture. I integrate this approach into the continuing question about progress and the
relationship between postmodernism and modernism, which is characterized here by
McDonaldization. I find contemporary society provides opportunities to celebrate the
benefits and development of postmodern social bonding. As a result, postmodernism,
characterized by chaos, contradiction, and especially illusion is found to actually create
solidarity and allow for Jungian rebirth of something authentic.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/5821 |
| Date | 17 September 2007 |
| Creators | Homann, Ronnie Dean |
| Contributors | Mestrovic, Stjepan |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Dissertation, text |
| Format | 757548 bytes, electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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