Projects / Programmes
Problems of Autonomy and Identity In the Age of Globalisation
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.06.00 |
Humanities |
Culturology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S210 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
autonomy, identity, globalisation, religion, national identity, regional identity, cultural identity, gender identities, Slovene diaspora, global culture, Slovene transition, religious identities, global and local, transnationalism, European integrations, nation-state/national state
Researchers (9)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
In the last decade after its independence Slovenia - both as a state and society - directly confronted the complex and irreversible processes of globalisation, which in sociological and cultural terms restructure and reconfigure interractions and modalities of everyday life of individuals and collectivities. The processes of globalisation unfold on the global and local level (national, regional) new distribution of of social (also political) power and transform economic and cultural paradigmatic shifts. In this sense we understand globalisation as a radical compression of space and time, which on the one hand destabilizes extant established autonomies and identities and on the other hand also unfold quite a few positive opportunities. This research programme focuses primarily on the following themes: historical and topical aspects of the evolution of the relationship between globalisation and autonomy-identity; contemporary theoretical analysis of the social dynamics between global and local; elaboration of the problem of deficit as far as the knowledge (identification) of referential frame of substantial characteristics of post-socialist transition states and societies is concerned; elaboration of modern social structures, which determine the autonomy and dynamics of the production of plural (political, confessional, gender, cultural, aesthetic and others), etc.
Significance for science
Researching globalization with an emphasis on such complex thematic clusters, as they are represented by identity and autonomy, belongs to research areas, which are nowadays in the international setting not only prioritized but also in increase in humanistic and social sciences. Importance for further development of science lies primarily in its "global" weight, which requires continual responsiveness of science with regard to the following key parameters of globalization: high "intensity" of socially relevant changes, "speed" with regard to changing opportunities and risks as far as identity and autonomy is concerned, and "networking", which signifies changes in the nature of mutual dependencies between glocal and local ("glocal"). The world is witnessing qualitatively and historically new social, cultural and economic processes, which obviously require likewise new scientific findings and paradigms, respectively, as well as redefinition of presently utilized concepts. The importance of research programme for the development of science is multifaceted and both short- and long-term. By appropriating socially relevant and topical concepts and contents, this programme - as it is designed - enables competent analysis of social processes, which is alongside other larger themes linked to identity and autonomy in the context of globalization, as such it includes in particular the following problems: multiculturalism, cosmopolitism, transnationalism, migrations, and several others. Thus can the involved disciplines cope with the challenge to exploit condensed era of social changes and processes in the mentioned areas to reanimate politics, public and responsible professional sphere. In Slovenian scientific and professional environment this programme opens new spaces for a reflection and revisiting key themes in connection with socio-political conditions in Slovenia and Europe. Moreover, it provides new forms and scientific tools in order to be able to recognize, articulate and analise phenomena of complex identities, multiculturalism and globalism in general. To this, one needs to add as well mutual influences affecting the transformation of identities, mass media, political participation, European (democratic) citizenship and others.
Significance for the country
Besides obvious efforts to incorporate the programme group and its research aims into wider international scientific area, our research activity will be directed to international presentations of Slovenian specific experiences with transition. Here we will try again to introduce our confrontations and responses as far as the impact of globalizations on identity and autonomy is concerned. Specific experiences, which require continuous scientific elaboration are intertwinned with the following macro-sociological and multicultural processes: first, a decade lasting trajectory from people ("narod") to nation ("nacija"); second, Slovenia's sociological and cultural experiences on the border between traditional "third" (Balkan) and (post)modern developed world (Western neighbourhood and European Union); third, sociologically and culturally dynamic and often tense relationship between modernity and post-modernity in Slovenia itself. Social cohesion in Slovenia is to greater extent dependent on strategic decisions by political, cultural, economic, and, last but not least, intellectual elites. Researching diverse implications and consequences of globalization on such multifaceted areas such as identity and autonomy, plays important role in devising strategic foundations for the mobilization of political and civil society. Few members of this research team are already much exposed ("visible") in public by "advising" both spheres, for example: in connection with dilemmas concerning the European (EU) "contract"; by suggesting and proposing the appropriate relationship/separation between state and religious communities; problems concerning equal chances between women and men; strategies for the protection and further development of national and cultural identity; and others. We estimate that European issues, which we identify and critically assess, represent promising field, which allows us to deepen the existing knowledge and is of extreme importance for the future sustainable development of Slovenian society and state. Besides, added and accumulated knowledge plays vital role in uppgrading education and study practices on all three levels (graduate, post-graduate and doctoral) of studies at our university
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
