Projects / Programmes
Gender structure of the contemporary Slovene society and gender positioning in the field of politics
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.03.00 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S210 |
Social sciences |
Sociology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.04 |
Social Sciences |
Sociology |
gender, social structure, education, employment, values, politics
Researchers (10)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
In the last thirty years, Slovenia has undergone numerous structural changes. Apart from the changes that that are common among many contemporary societies, the radical change of the political system and the related transition to market economy also took place and a new type rationality emerged. It was during the “risk” period or the period of “liquid modernity” that a special combination of uncertainty and hope - expectation - emerged in Slovenia.
With this background, and as a part of the described construction, the placement of women in society took place: a) women were confronted with the denial of their distinctiveness or with the de-prioritization of their problems which seemed (because of the decisiveness of the moment) justifiable to many, the women included; b) at the same time, in the period soon after the independence it was a period of widespread belief that the time has come wherein the fight for the gaining of new rights and the protection of already gained rights would be considered a necessary part of political life; c) together with male part of the population, women experienced and shaped the structural shifts in Slovene society; everything has changed: not only political system and state structures but working schemes, social security schemes, child-care system, health care, education, and pension systems were also being reformed.
All the factors listed above have contributed to the shaping of the environment in which opportunities as well as traps emerged. Three decades later, by mapping the field of gender in politics, we shall try to establish a structured picture of women’s presence in politics and the reasons for it.
The objective of the research project is to find out why breakthroughs in domains such as the level of education and employment in once masculinised judiciary, public administration, medical professions and others do not result (yet?) in a more balanced division of political power and responsibilities. Key structural (social and individual) elements, mechanisms, and strategies in the preservation of such a power relation will be examined, as well as the answers - why Slovenia when it comes to gender equality in the field of politics on the national level - so evidently lags behind in comparison with the rest of Europe – try to find.
For the purpose of the presented research project, we shall divide the work into three parts: I. Reconsideration of the political machinery and gender equality in politics; II. Restructuring of education, employment, home economy, and gender; III. Gender, value structure, and risk perception in Slovenia. We suppose that research is going to cross the boundaries of these parts and confront and combine them.
To reach those goals we will use different conceptual approaches when researching the question of gender presence in politics which also brings into the discussion the different aspects that will go beyond the field of political theory. The research team will collect and examine different kinds of data for a more precise insight on partial segments of contemporary Slovenian society in relation to gender and try to conceptualize them while combine theoretical-empirical outlook in the field of women’s entrance into politics.
This three year research is divided in three phases. The first phase of the research is planned as the preparation for the project (gathering aditional literature and the analysis of secondary quantitative data (gathering data, analysis, and interpretation). This will be followed by the phase in which we shall try based on qualitative methodological approach to locate obstacles for women entering politics (focus groups). In the third phase of the research, qualitative semi-structured interviews will be conducted followed by final interpretation, publications and research report.
Significance for science
The research project considerably contributed to the development of science through the following: - It brings new knowledge and insight into the structure of modern Slovenian society and the position of gender in it; - It tested some widely accepted theoretical assumptions on risk societies, liquid modernity (Beck, Bauman, Boltansky, Castel), and gender differences in taking risks and making important decisions; - It contributes to the development of the research on the presence of women in politics by confronting some research findings (mainly US one) centred on the political socialization and ambitions of individual women and groups of women to be candidates in the current political streams (electoral system, nature of political parties, gender quotas, and other encouraging mechanisms) and conceptualizations of modernisation processes in relation to the presence in politics; - It tested the meaning of women shifts within men’s fields of education and employment; and influence of these shifts on the presence of both in the field of politics; - It tested the influence of value orientation on the equality of genders and the possibility for women to pass from professional life to politics; - It examined the hypotheses about the influence of social and cultural capital on the activity of genders in politics.
Significance for the country
Because the incorporation of the potentials of men and women in democratic process presents an important factor in the development of every democratic society, the findings of the research findings can influence the future structure and potential of our democracy. Furthermore research has the potential to influence the modifications in the functioning of important institutions of modern society (school, economy – labour market, parties, etc) and increase the sensibility for the integration of men and women in the in public life. There are few researches dealing with the structure of modern Slovenian society. The society structure has an important influence on both the possibility of placing individuals into relevant fields and the utilization of the potential of both genders in it. The study shows the use of the potential of that gender that, in the last decades, has achieved significantly better results in education and economy, but not throughout the public sphere. The research contributes to a deeper understanding of factors that influence the absence of women, especially in politics as a field that has a major impact on everyday life and that should, by definition, take care of the greatest common good of all citizens.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
