5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Globalization is viewed as a higher stage of modernity by some scholars. They argue that modernity is transforming itself and as a result, several changes are taking place in different institutions of developed and developing societies. The increase in worldwide connectivity and the rise of social media in the last few decades have significant consequences for the current world order. After the fall of the USSR and the Communist Block in Europe, a unipolar world order prevailed over two decades. However, in the last four years particularly after the COVID-19 crisis, there have been significant changes in the world order. Today a multipolar world order is emerging. The intensity of direct and indirect conflicts in different parts of the world has been increased in yesteryears. It has been argued that uncertainty and risks is one of the defining features of high modernity. The conflicting situation between Russia and Ukraine on the one hand and between Israel and terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hizballah etc., over a year indicates that the project of modernity is facing a crisis situation and creating cleavages between the countries. The new world order is not only multipolar but also full of uncertainties and risks. The proposed session is intended to discuss these issues.