What does post modern mean?

To understand postmodernism you have to understand classical theory and modernism.  Classical theory is characterized by idealism and traditionalism - it focuses on the systems and institutions of society.  Modernism is characterized by pragmatism and individualism - it focuses on the role of the individual.  Postmodernism assumes power dynamics and dominant/subjugated perspectives - it focuses on favoring the outlier/atypical over the norm/typical and making the weak powerful and the powerful weak (in the case of poststructuralism, it calls for the destruction of institutions).