Projects / Programmes
Quality of life of social groups and the social policy
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.03.00 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S210 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
| S213 |
Social sciences |
Social structures |
| S214 |
Social sciences |
Social changes, theory of social work |
| S215 |
Social sciences |
Social problems and welfare, national insurance |
Researchers (6)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Social groups as one of the central sociological categories has been subject to a wide research interest and a number of foci. During the nineties a number of relatively new concepts such as empowerment, inclusion, cohesion, human rights and social quality entered the research agenda and complemented the classical mainstream topics such as social stratification and integration.
The key research topic of the programme are the processes of disintegration, marginalisation and exclusion of social groups on one hand, and on the other hand of their integration and inclusion. Moreover, the topics include also the manifestations and the results of the two processes as well as the policy instruments (programmes) used. The research focuses on the economic, political and spatial (urban) spheres.
Our main hypothesis are the following. First, the processes and their manifestations differ in different spheres and cannot be subsumed and substituted for by each other. Second, the new processes of disintegration and exclusion of social groups in contemporary societies are complemented by new mechanisms of integration and inclusion, yet in post-socialist societies they are weaker and slower developing, the direct democracy being among the spheres with a significant deficit.
The programme has the following goals:
- to be acknowledged with the developing concepts related to the processes of contemporary social integration and disintegration to the extent that would allow a proper communication with the international disciplinary community and contribute to the further development of the concepts;
- to observe, analyse and explain these processes within the Slovenian society and make international comparisons;
- to build the stock of knowledge from where a variety of policy oriented application can be made and used by a number of social agents;
- to contribute to a clearer distinction between the relevant concepts in Slovenian social context.
The programme is significant for social science development particularly as far as it can not only observe and explain the new phenomena related to the integration and disintegration processes in Slovenian case, but may use the case to test hypothesis in an international framework, particularly raising the issue of the 'post-socialist countries'.
The programme is significant for Slovenia as it may help observe, analyse and understand a variety of new phenomena related to processes of integration and disintegration in Slovenian society, as well as to development of more efficient policies against exclusion and marginalisation. The programme would also provide 'the critical mass' of the knowledge needed to follow the development of social sciences in the field, allowing its application to domestic policies.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
