bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postmodernism and the end of anthropology
Authors: Sekulic Nada
Published: July 2008

The notion of postmodernism concerns changes in culture, social and economic relationships and ways of thinking related to post-industrial society and information epoch. The main feature of the changes in the sphere of thinking concerns supremacy of signs over reality, that is, over objects which thinking refers to as a field of true experience. Autonomy of signs (symbolic communities, social and cultural practices aimed at construction of reality, domination of technology and engineering in all sectors of life, cult of desire in regard to consumer culture) makes necessary rethinking over basic categories (man, evolution, progress, nature, culture, tradition, sex), with the purpose to criticize their metaphysical discursive background and to point to political aspects of such thinking. The standpoint from which the critique of anthropocentrism opens new and more human horizons in social thought today is questioned in the article. The author argues that 'anthropocentrism', as ethical and responsible attitude, based on connection between praxis, phronesis and doxa, is actually prerequisite to deconstruction of power discourse today.
Definition and classification of drug addiction and drug misuse issues
Authors: Radulovic Dragan
Published: July 2008

In the paper author points out conceptual and terminological inconsistency of drug vocabulary and influence of value and moralistic elements. Most illustrative example for this represents term narcomany, which is still widely used by domestic authors to refer to drug use, in spite of its obvious insufficiency and impreciseness. Similar case is with terms toxicomany, habituation and addiction. Drug classification issue has been also analyzed in totality of viewing of drug use as a social and individual phenomenon. Author emphasizes that optimal strategy of drug control have to aim to differentiated approach to specific drugs, but also points out to unjustified referring to any drug as "soft" or harmless.
Culture of signifiers: Difference between Lévi-Strauss' and Derrida's notion of structure
Authors: Sekulic Nada
Published: July 2008

The anthropology was developed on the notions of primitive man, primitive culture and society. These notions were generated through mixture of scientific and fictional approaches to social reality, so that it was very difficult to prove them. Therefore, the scientific and cognitive value and significance of these models have been questioned in anthropology from the beginning. Structural critique of the theory of primitive mentality relativizes the relationship between fictional and science language, by conveying that the general mind capacities are grounded in the principles of fictional and/or irrational thinking, rejecting the idea that they relate to the previous phases of the mind development. Structural approach considers culture to be a system of signifier s, built on spontaneous semiotic processes. Derrida recognizes structural (Levi-Strauss's) approach as a beginning of new type of discourse, partially released from the metaphysical heritage, introducing into anthropology decentralization of stable structure, changes of cognitive status and importance of fictional language stressing the fictional aspects of scientific approaches. Consequently anthropology is not considered as a grounded empirical science any more, but as a discursive game based on non-decisive discursive transformations. Derrida's approach supports the interpretation of culture as a system of signifiers; avoiding the initial problem posed, but not solved by the structural critique of the theory of primitive mentality - that is the question if it is possible to supplement realistic discourse with the fictional one and what the consequences result from it.
On modernity in general and on the main obstacles to modernity in Serbia in the 20th century - and afterwards
Authors: Turza Karel
Published: July 2008

This work offers, in the first place, a definition of the notion of modernity, then, a reconstruction of historical origins of that wide and long-lasting ideal/spiritual and practical project, and the main theoretical views of the attributes and conditions of its contemporary existence. The analysis of the character of the main socio-historical currents in Serbia during the 20th century - based upon the above mentioned logical theoretical, methodological and historical considerations - reveals the reasons why the project of modernity has never become a basis or, at least a relevant orientation factor for human action/behaviour in the milieu.
Serbia: A part of both the East and the West?
Authors: Lazic Mladen
Published: July 2008

The text comprises of two parts. The first is dealing with the basic historical preconditions for the formation of modern cultural patterns common to the largest part of the Serbian population and their relation towards those cultural patterns which appear today in the developed part of the world and are referred to as modern. The research shows that the historical auto/production of cultural patterns is marked by contradictions in Serbia, especially in considering the encounter between the East and the West, traditional and modern. The main finding of this research is that, due to this kind of development (characteristic of a border areas of which Serbia was a part until the end of the previous century) it is, in these parts, impossible to make the usual distinction between the two cultural cores (those of the Western and Eastern cultures), supported by two - unevenly sized - separate and mutually confronted groupings (the traditional strata and modernization actors) and that the above-mentioned splits characterize all the empirical actors whose effects are marked by these controversies on the inside. The second part of the paper sums up the findings of the empirical research carried out within the joint comparative frameworks of the project: "The Socio-Economic Culture of Eastern Europe in the Enlarged Union: an Asset or a Liability? ".
Between the national past and (an) European future
Authors: Vuletic Vladimir
Published: July 2008

The paper deals with the degree of openness of the local political institutions towards European initiatives and mark the elements of cooperation and tensions in communication between European institutions and local actors engaged in the implementation of European initiatives. The focus is on the cultural or culture-determined obstacles bearing upon the (lack of) understanding between the local and foreign, primarily European institutions. The paper presents data obtained though in depth interviews with political elite members. The analysis follows several cultural dimensions such as: communication, values,, life style,, material culture, and emphasizes existing differences on each of them. Nevertheless, the basic conclusion contends that these differences, although not negligible, are not insurmountable.
"We" and "others" according to statements of economic experts in Serbia
Authors: Vujovic Sreten
Published: July 2008

This article refers to the scientific and professional relations between Serbian economists and their counterparts from the West. Opinions of Serbian economists about the others and otherness are considered within the context of post socialist transformation at the turn of millennium. Firstly, the statements about scientific exchange with foreign, i.e. Western professionals and institutions are discussed referring to experienced pleasant and unpleasant surprises as well as to the effects of scientific cooperation in view of "we"-"others" relationship, i.e. mutual learning process and reception of knowledge and professional behavior types. In relation to that, the differences between egalitarian liberals and libertarians among our economist", are pointed out. Finally, arguments of interviewed experts about privatization in Serbia, its characteristics and effects are presented.
Macedonia between nationalism(s) and multiculturalism: The framework agreement and its multicultural conjectures
Authors: Atanasov Petar
Published: July 2008

This paper deals with the nationalism(s) and multiculturalism in the Macedonian society, and the multicultural democracy contingency within Macedonian practice. Furthermore, it shed lights on the implementation of the Framework Agreement after the conflict of 2001 seen through the national and multicultural paradigm In addition the paper attempts to correlate the class and the ethnicity in Macedonian socialist pre- ethnic period, with the transition processes and current Macedonian state-of-affairs The paper argues that the management of ethnic differences must reconcile the two nationalisms and in opposite direction, the 'battle' for the resources and symbols between Macedonians and Albanians will reinforce the affections toward their own national (ethnic) identity.
The end of intimacy?: Love life in the age of globalization
Authors: Stulhofer Aleksandar , Miladinov Kiril
Published: July 2008

The central aim of this paper is to describe the sources and unintended consequences of the new intimate risks, those that are not exogenously (socioculturally), but endogenously determined. These new risks arise exclusively from personal wishes, expectations and preferences, as well as from intimate interactions between postmodern individuals. The defining difference between ?old? and ?new? intimacy is a disappearance of the regulating system of social norms due to modern processes of de-traditionalization. Freed from social expectations, which used to structure romantic relationships, the process of intimacy-building becomes a deinstitutionalized and fluid personal project - a part of the (post)modern self-project - recently termed ?the pure relationship? (A. Giddens). We argue that the pure relationship, which is presently the dominant model of romantic involvement, entails a number of (new) intimate risks leading to a deficit (and fragmentation) of intimacy. At the same time, as we point out in the concluding section, the pure relationship does contain a potential for true intimacy.
Globalization and cities
Authors: Petrovic Mina
Published: July 2008

This paper deals with the basic concepts on cities within contemporary globalisation. First, it briefly reviews the city perspective within the world system theory (concepts of over-urbanisation, under-urbanisation, and dependent urbanisation), new international division of labour, theory of the second circuit of capital and informational society. The second part of the paper is dedicated to the concepts of global and world cities and their implications for the cities in developed and developing countries (including post-socialist). Urban policy and urban regime concepts are analysed in the third part, by focusing on economic competitiveness and democratic potentials of (developed, developing and post-socialist) cities in the global world. Finally, paper concludes that new analytical concepts on cities developed since the1970?s actually deconstruct and reconstitute inherited forms of urban analysis with more or less success. Increased importance of cities as socio-economic actors in global economy has not contributed to the closure of the developmental gap. Contrary to that, it has been reproducing according to the new regulatory principles.
Financial globalisation and economic sovereignty
Authors: Causevic Fikret
Published: July 2008

A number of very significant changes took place in the international financial system at the beginning of the 1970s, as a result of changes in the relations of economic power between the most developed countries in the world. A number of new financial instruments appeared in response to the new conditions on the international currency and financial markets, with far-reaching implications for the efficiency of national economic policy, in particular on the three main segments - monetary, fiscal, and exchange rate policy. The process of financial liberalization began in the late sixties and early seventies and became a dominant characteristic of the final two decades of last century. The essence of financial liberalization is the elimination of the state?s influence on the extension of credit, interest rates, bank-ownership, and the free movement of international capital. In the process of financial liberalization, countries with developed market structures and powerful financial institutions were at a great advantage over countries whose financial sector was poorly or under-developed. As a result of their very different starting positions, the process of financial liberalization during the last two decades led to a doubling of the gap between the richest and the poorest countries. Two decades ago, the richest five countries in the world were 128 times richer than the five poorest countries. During those two decades, this became 249 times richer. A change in business philosophy and the mission and goals of companies could well have a progressive, development impact, with a view to reducing the wealth gap, particularly in regions and countries sidelined as regards development until now. Nevertheless, international economic and financial groups and institutional capacity-building in national governments, including the ability to carry out an efficient macroeconomic policy, will continue to have a vital role to play in stimulating development and reducing these enormous disparities.
The politics of abortion and contraception
Authors: Drezgic Rada
Published: July 2008

In this article the author challenges several dominant positions that are relevant for understanding demographic trends and contraceptive practices as well as their mutual relationship. First, the author rejects the assumed direct connection between high abortion rates and low fertility. Second, the author challenges the thesis according to which abortions come about because of the lack of contraception and proposes that high abortion rates result from failing contraception i.e. from high failing rates of coitus interruptus which is a preferred method of birth control by men and women in Serbia. Finally, the author argues that giving control over reproductive risk to men does not make women passive victims of male domination. Rather women are, it is argued, active agents in reproducing hegemonic gender roles and relations. In addition, the author shows how gender power relations formed at the micro level may be consequential for macro level politics.
New trends in the economic sociology in the USA
Authors: Bolcic Silvano
Published: July 2008

This review article is devoted to the presentation of recent trends in development of the economic sociology, in general, and in the USA, in particular. The return to the ?great (European) traditions? in the economic sociology started in the 1980-ties, with M. Granovetter?s article, published in AJS 1985, on ?social embeddedness? of economic actions. Relying on the most recent publications in this field, author presents the key principles of economic sociology (on economic action as a form of social action, on economic institutions as ?social construction? and on economic actions as socially situated and ?embedded? activities) and contrast approaches of economy and sociology in studying economic phenomena. Some key concepts of the new economic sociology (social embeddedness, social network, social capital) were analyzed through some important investigations where these concepts were applied. It has been stressed that the new economic sociology reintegrate sociological studies of work, organization, stratification, culture and global social development and brings an alternative, more comprehensive understanding of economic phenomena then one provided by mainstream economic studies. New economic sociology in USA and in other developed societies enhanced the social role of sociology as a modern profession. Finally, these recent developments in economic sociology are relevant for the study of countries in post-socialist transformation. ?Economism? which characterized most ?transition? approaches in these countries has lead to the inefficient ?change policies?, greatly by ignoring ?social embeddedness? of the former and prospective ?economic order?.
Transformation of organisations of work in the processes of globalisation: Influence of neo-liberal ideology
Authors: Milosevic Bozo
Published: July 2008

In sociology of organisation, as a special branch of sociology of work, prevailing opinions today are those that do not separate organisation of work from globalisation processes. No matter whether globalisation processes are seen from optimistic, pessimistic, or skeptical point of view, the fact that globalisation processes do exist in modern societies and that they do influence transformation of organisation of work is not disputable. Globalisation processes imposed distribution of risk, instead of earlier interior processes, which were happening within the frame of distribution of goods (and services) among agents in processes of work. Transformation of organisation of work has been happening in the direction of becoming more changeable, adaptable and temporary. Although on the path of transformation of organisation of work resistance can be seen, which come from prevailing bureaucratic structures and relations, globalisation processes ?put? into them some dominant neo-liberal values. As value basis of these processes are mostly seen in the form of neo-liberal ideology, its influence to transformation of organisation of work cannot be neglected; behind each ideology is a function of ?protection? of certain social agents. Neo-liberal ideology ?makes sense? of changes of organisation of work in the way that it gives them legitimacy of ?promoters? of globalisation processes, in the centre of which is the struggle for profit on the international market. This is the reason why globalisation processes appear as a good (international) frame for spreading of neo-liberal ideology, as like in economically high developed societies as in societies of post-socialistic transition. Neo -liberal ideology does not care much for characteristics of other aspects of work, which concern content of work and position of agents of work in its organisation. In accordance with neo-liberal ideology, today we can identify some influences of globalisation processes to organisation of work: organisation is getting smaller, more equal distribution of power in organisation and cutting off ?auxiliary? functions of organisation.
Globalization in the Balkans: Free trade agreement and the perspectives of attracting large institutional investors on the domestic capital market
Authors: Radonjic Ognjen
Published: July 2008

In order to take advantage of potentially positive effects that free trade flows have on economic growth, eight countries from South-East Europe united to create a regional free trade agreement. Significant market enlargement, cancellation of customs, tariffs and other export barriers create favorable opportunities for the development and growth of domestic companies. What is more, new sources of growth and development for local enterprises, as well as intensified competition, result in increased attractiveness of the region for large international investors. On the other hand, in order to take advantage of the presence of large international investors on the domestic market, it is very important to have in function a stable and rational financial system. Again, it is questionable how to develop in the most efficient way, at the moment, our underdeveloped financial market. A complementary solution is to attract large institutional investors on the domestic market, on one hand, and the foundation of domestic ones, on the other, in order to achieve a significant enlargement of the market liquidity as the basic determinant of its future development.
Overview of the "Social capital": Its relevance and implications for local communities conference
Authors: -urednistvo -
Published: July 2008

Paper presents the partial and idiosyncratic concluding overview of issues raised and discussed during the conference. In different contexts the turn to social capital seems to be a response to feelings that society is "at risk" in the face of radical change (albeit in quite different ways). Under these circumstances, social capital offers a particular sort of explanation of, and remedy for dealing with, perceived changes in the way we live. Conceptually social capital provides a link between families, communities and society, and practically it promises order and control. Three over-reaching perspectives on social capital were represented in the conference papers: erosion, new forms, and continued inequalities. Also methods in defining social capital and its operationalisation have been subject to much debate. The contributions to the "Social capital" conference show that debates about the nature, forms and effects of social capital are highly relevant across contexts.
The family as a capital asset
Authors: Milic Andjelka
Published: July 2008

A representative sample survey of families/households in Serbia at the beginning of the third millennium (2003), carried out by the Institute for Sociological Research, has shown the percentage of extended families to be unexpectedly high (30%). Earlier surveys, however, led to the belief that they were almost disappearing as a model and part of the reality of family life. Further analysis of data has convinced us that a revival of a family type, which emerged as a result of the transformation of the traditional zadruga or joint family, is underway. Throughout the socialist period characterized by the discouragement of agricultural development and industrialization, this family type survived and took the form of a hybrid or mixed household consisting of farmers-workers, which has been on a steady decline since the mid 1960s. In contemporary circumstances, marked by a decade-long social crisis and economic decline, an expansion of the extended family model takes place. It is distinguished by completely new morphological, structural, socioeconomic and functional features, which indicate the existence of strategies applied by individual families with the aim of adapting to the blocked, postponed and belated socioeconomic transformation, namely, avoiding the risks it brings. On the basis of the produced empirical evidence, the existence of two types of extension have been determined: horizontally (lateral descent) and vertically extended family type (blood relationship, patrilinearity). It has also been determined that these two types differ in the ways of their emergence and maintenance, as well as in essential inner relations. Vertically extended families are characterized by the elements of the traditional patriarchal order, while horizontal extension is a result of modernizing trends that have never fully developed (especially as far as the relationship between spouses is concerned).
Institutional functional integration andits impact on the development of a new quality culture at the University of Belgrade
Authors: Bogdanovic Marija , Djuricic Bogdan
Published: July 2008

This text is devoted to the analysis of the institutional framework of the traditional forms of quality control of the scientific and pedagogical work of teaching staff. Then it discusses the new, supplementary forms of the quality control which are suggested by Bologna declaration. Three examples are given (three faculties) to illustrate the way in which it was implemented.
Karl Polanyi, the transition, and the social capital
Authors: Losonc Alpar
Published: July 2008

Taking into account the theoretical contributions to the genesis of capitalism the opus of Karl Polanyi represents the classical approach in the economic sociology and political economy. Describing the Speenhamland-narration in England Polanyi has thematised the contradiction that deeply characterized the capitalist system, namely the contradiction between the disembedded marketization and the societal self-defence. It is to be accentuated that this contradiction is immanent contra certain interpretations that arouse out during the last two decades. Polanyi?s critical work could not been integrated into the conservative attacks on the welfare arrangements and could not been explicated as the theory of organized welfare capitalism. The hypothesis that orientates this article is that Polanyi?s achievement is of crucial importance for the rereading of the transition-processes but it is to be corrected on the basis of certain interpretation of social capital. I argue that the tension of embedded ness and disembeddedness is at the center of Polanyi?s work. At the same time there is a dilemma in relation to the character of the meanings and forms of embedded ness. Due to the contribution of the literature on the social capital we can reuse it in the light of the solving of problems of the collective action. The level of embedded ness is not an expression of a neutral constellation. The social capital provides a framework for the explanation of the institutional constraints that are subject to conflict amongst the societal agents. In this way, the double movement that is depicted in the Great Transformation could be rearticulated by the conflict-centered view that ties in nicely with the concerns of those emphasizing the importance of voice, political goods and ethical limits of market.
Methodology of focus group research
Authors: Djuric Sladjana
Published: July 2008

The popularity of focus group interview has rapidly grown in the last two decades. After long-time period in which this technique had been practiced almost exclusively in marketing research it begins the period of its frequent application in a great number of academic fields (sociology, psychology, evaluation research, public opinion research, communication, medical care). Only with the intensification of investigations in which focus group interviewing has been applied it was enabled achieving of experience that can be methodologically generalized, with accompanying development of the technique. This text refers to the basic methodological principles of this technique's application. In the paper the methodological experiences are synthesized which are accumulated through an enormous number of foreign explorations, as well as in many-year research experience of the author.
Hollywood industry: Correlation between film production and political discourse
Authors: Zvijer Nemanja
Published: July 2008

The paper focuses on the relation between Hollywood industry and political establishment of the USA, particularly US foreign policy and the military intervention as its specific form. Only the biggest and the most significant US military interventions were considered: World War Two, Korean War, Vietnam War, military interventions in Latin America, in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and on Balkan, concerning their treatment in Hollywood movies without analyzing them in broader socio-political context. In addition, the anticommunism in Hollywood is also considered, which was perhaps the most perennial content of the US foreign policy.
Family (dis)functionality and mental health: Review of atmosphere, emotional relationships and communicational schemes in schizophrenic patients’ families
Authors: Ljubicic Milana
Published: July 2008

This review summarizes research findings on socio-pathological aspects of life of schizophrenic patients? families. Instigated on a system theory, and socio-dynamic notion that links the commencement of the schizophrenia to economical circumstance of individual hence: inadequate function of this component is a product of personal pathology of individual. System therapy perceives family as a system as its members play particular roles and form multiple relations. Therapy observes family as a system: their members play certain roles and form multiple interactions. This disorder of the family system can be manifested through mental disturbance of one of its members: however, it is never a reflection of individual?s personal pathology but troubled family relations. System theory on commencement of schizophrenia emphasizes emotional relationship, atmosphere and communication between family members. Therefore, system theory underlines the importance of troubled emotional relationships, atmosphere bearing negative notion and inadequate communication between family members. Negative family surroundings, emotional and communicational character of the schizophrenic patients? families? relations were confirmed by the research.
Religions and confessions of national minorities in Serbia
Authors: Djordjevic Dragoljub
Published: July 2008

Setting aside the major national community, Serbs, the text analyzes the religious-confessional profile of all 28 national communities in Serbia according to the 2002 census. In the Serbian ethnic profile there are more national minorities gravitating towards Christianity rather than Islam. Among Christian national minorities, Orthodox and Roman Catholic confessions are almost equally represented, while Sunni Islam is the most prevailing confession among Muslim minorities. In describing religions and confessions of national minorities, the following concepts and phenomena are taken into consideration: "confessional identification", "violation of confessional identity", "religion of fate", "religion of choice", "syncretistic religiosity", "combinatory religiosity", "religious seekers", "religions of minorities", "minority religions", "religious communities of minorities" and "protestantization process".
Feminist troubles with the Balkans
Authors: Drezgic Rada , Zarkov Dubravka
Published: July 2008

The paper analyses writings of Slavenka Drakulic and certain number of other feminist writers from ex-Yugoslavia aiming to answer to the following questions: first, how much and in what way the discourses on ex-Yugoslavia Balkans, (post)socialism, nationalism and war have been produced by local feminists and/or imported from the West; second, have these discourses been overlapping with local feminist discourses about masculinity and femininity and how.
The emergence of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in Yugoslavia during the war with NATO
Authors: Byford Jovan , Billig Michael
Published: July 2008

Byford and Billig examine the emergence of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in the Yugoslav media during the war with NATO. The analysis focuses mainly on Politika, a mainstream daily newspaper without a history of anti-Semitism. During the war, there was a proliferation of conspiratorial explanations of western policies both in the mainstream Serbian media and in statements by the Yugoslav political establishment. For the most part such conspiracy theories were not overtly anti-Semitic, but rather focused on the alleged aims of organizations such as the Bilderberg Group, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission. However, these conspiracy theories were not created de novo; writers in the Yugoslav media were drawing on an established tradition of conspiratorial explanations. The tradition has a strong anti-Semitic component that seems to have affected some of the Yugoslav writings. Byford and Billig analyze anti-Semitic themes in the book The Trilateral by Smilja Avramov and in a series of articles published in Politika. They suggest that the proliferation of conspiracy theories during the war led to a shifting of the boundary between acceptable and non-acceptable political explanations, with the result that formerly unacceptable anti-Semitic themes became respectable. This can be seen in the writings of Nikolaj Velimirovic, the Serbian bishop whose mystical anti-Semitic ideas had previously been beyond the bounds of political respectability. During the war, his ideas found a wider audience, indicating a weakening of political constraints against such notions.
Interconnections between theory, history and imagination in anthropology
Authors: Sekulic Nada
Published: July 2008

The article examines the interconnections between theory, history and imagination in anthropology. Anthropology as academic discipline was established on the scholars? endeavors to raise the history above simple historiography descriptions to the level of theoretical knowledge and nomotetic science, based on the principles of rationality. Therefore, in a way, the contribution of imaginative thinking to the emergence of anthropology and its influence on the formative processes of multi-cultural exchange has been underestimated. An revised analysis of the importance of imagination in these processes makes possible revision of the history of anthropology asking for new anthropological "literacy" focused on understanding the formative aspects of imagination in constitution of knowledge.
Flexibilisation of the work process?
Authors: Hodzic Alija
Published: July 2008

Survey data referring to characteristics of work that is going through flexibilisation process are analyzed in the paper. These are part-time jobs temporary and occasional jobs. Polarization of labor force as a consequence of education ("self-programming" and "generic" labor force), negotiation power of labor unions, and capacities of labor force in an informatics society are also researched. All these characteristics are not present in Croatian society at the same level, they do not equally affect employed and unemployed population (taking in consideration that borders between employed and unemployed are not clear), and are not present by the same degree in different types of settlements (there is a difference between cities and villages, and also between Zagreb and all other settlements). Negotiation power of labor unions is very much brought into question.
Symbolic and pragmatic aspects of European identity
Authors: Lengyel György , Göncz Borbála
Published: July 2008

It seems realistic that one of the long-term preconditions of European integration is the strengthening of European identity. Otherwise, it might happen that a growing split occurs between the elites and the population in the question of integration. In the Western European countries the concepts of Europe and the EU frequently coincide, while in the Eastern European countries Europe has primarily cultural-historical connotations and the EU embodies economic development and welfare. In an international comparison, European identity was stronger in the newly joining countries, but in some of them (i.e. in Hungary and Estonia) the national identity was among the strongest as well. The current study is based on a Hungarian representative survey carried out in 2003 - that is before Hungary joined the European Union. We supposed that class positions, the availability of material, cultural and social resources strongly influence European identity. We examined two aspects of identity, a symbolic and a pragmatic one. The symbolic identity was measured by questions addressing national vs. supra- and sub-national belonging, while pragmatic identity was approached by a question addressing the fair redistribution of taxes among the different levels. We could compare these dimensions and investigate the possible reasons for inconsistencies. .
Attitudes on transition to adulthood among young people in Serbia
Authors: Tomanovic Smiljka , Ignjatovic Suzana
Published: July 2008

The aim of this paper is to explore the attitudes on transition to adulthood among young people in Serbia. The empirical basis of our analysis was a multidimensional study carried out by an interdisciplinary team of experts and organized by the Center for Policy Studies from Belgrade. After outlining the analytical framework for youth transition on the normative level, we intend to analyze the attitudes of young people concerning adulthood with special reference to family transitions: independence from the family of origin, partner relationships, marriage, parenthood, as well as perceptions of their agency in transition to adulthood. In the concluding part, we will interpret the findings by comparison with the trends outlined in studies of young people from some Western and post-socialist countries in the region.
Between pro-natalist population policy and women’s reproductive rights: The analysis of exposure of the two discourses in press media after 2000
Authors: Djoric Gorana , Gavrilovic Danijela
Published: July 2008

The paper is an attempt to assess the exposure of two distinct approaches to reproductive behavior - the claims for reproductive rights and freedoms, and the pro-natalist population policy - in the press media in Serbia after 2000. The first approach is grounded on the principle of self-determination in respect to reproductive behavior, whereas the second attempts to modify reproductive behavior so that a higher goal of the survival of Serbian nation is achieved. The two approaches have clear and contradictory policy implications. In the first part of the paper two discourses are constructed based on relevant declarations and other publications by the proponents of the two discourses. In the second part, by the means of a descriptive quantitative analysis, we assess the frequency and the coherence of the discourses in the articles published in Blic, Kurir, Vreme and Nin. The questions we attempt to answer are: To what extent interested pressure groups get to place the elements of their agendas in the press? To what extent these groups manage to frame public discussions and to dominate the instances of media coverage with their own imagery and rhetoric? .
Post-communist structural and values inequalities: Occupational-class basis for democratic consolidation
Authors: Tilkidjiev Nikolai
Published: July 2008

The data analysis from "Democratic Values" Project leads to the conclusion that there is a distinct subjective hierarchy among post-communist countries, between respondents from lagging and outpacing countries. Comparative analysis of the numerous data shows clearly how the commitment of respondents in these countries to democratic changes and democratic values is distinctly differentiated according to the degree of economic and political development of their societies and the degree of success achieved in their transition. On the other hand, there is a significant differentiation of opinions of respondents according to the status group or occupational class to which each person belongs. The reduction of social class groups to five basic occupational classes, a reduction based on classical and contemporary studies of social stratification, and the comparative analysis realized on this basis, convincingly support the conclusion that there is a sustained correlation: a clearly shaped status hierarchy with regard to acceptance of democratic values. This status hierarchy is valid within the frameworks of each separate post-communist country, regardless of their different degrees of success in the transition. A number of interesting illustrations are adduced, repeating and reconfirming on various occasions the stable link between status and attitudes with regard to individualism and collectivism, liberalism and statism, egalitarianism, the acceptance of the market economy principles, the acceptance of democracy or of socialism as concepts and practice, the attitude towards totalitarian and dictatorial regimes, the degree of consolidation around European values, etc. To sum it up, the outpacing and lagging countries in the post-communist transition look alike in their high-status groups and differ in their low-status strata.
Agriculture and the changes of the social structure: the case of Serbia
Authors: Sljukic Srdjan
Published: July 2008

In this paper the author stresses the importance of the changes in the vertical dimension of social structure in CEE societies, focusing on the recent (from 1989) changes of the social structure in agriculture in Serbia. After a short historical review, the causes, the way and the results of these changes are analyzed. Furthermore, the situation in Serbia is compared with situations in some other CEE societies, with an attempt to explain the differences and find similarities. The changes of the social structure in agriculture in Serbia are discussed from the point of the stability of society and from the point of evolutionary capacity. The author concludes that the presented and discussed changes of the social structure in agriculture support the claim that, when speaking about structural changes in CEE societies in the last sixteen years, the notion of "transformation" is more useful in explanation than the notion of "transition".
The new (changed) past as value factor of development
Authors: Kuljic Todor
Published: July 2008

Image of the past is an active framework of reference values that indirectly gives a meaning to and influences social development. The past provides a symbolic framework to the individuals and groups by which they conceptualize their existence. Changing the image of the past is an important part of the transition of values. The past is an active framework of social action not just passively reframed ideas adapted to the needs of the present. Since 1990s the past has been radically changed, reinvented and revisioned in newly formed Balkan states in order to initiate new development towards the national capitalism. The changing of the past was rather patchy in Serbia. While the Serbian opposition in 1990s (similarly to ruling elites in other newly founded states) has reconciled quickly its vision of the past to the new image of national capitalism, the radical changes in official statements about the past happened only after the 2000. Broadly speaking, in the Serbian memory culture there are two main value orientations marked by the past: (1) antifascism and (2) Hilandar (a famous Serbian cloister in Greece). Antifascism is a mark of rationalism, multiculturalism, brotherhood and unity, left position and anticonservatism, Hilandar is a mark of religion and national exclusivity and conservatism and the right values. The first one withdraws, the second is presently hegemonic.
Theoretical approaches to ethnicity, nationalism and nation
Authors: Bakic Jovo
Published: July 2008

The author takes into consideration main theory of ethnicity and nationalism: primordialism, perennialism, modernism, ethno-symbolism, post-modernism, and interactionism. He pays his attention on both good and bad features of the different theoretical approaches in order to formulate his own approach. In addition, he offers several the most famous and convincing definitions and typologies of the nations and nationalism. At the end, he tries to make definitions of the ethnicity (ethnical connectedness), ethnical resource, e. g. language, religion, "race", ethnic myths etc, ethnic category, and ethnic as well as to briefly outline his own approach that is basically interactionist with some additions of ethno-symbolism.
Persistence of traditionalist value orientations in Serbia
Authors: Pesic Jelena
Published: July 2008

Systematic failures in attempts to modernize Serbian society during the past two centuries have led to the survival of traditionalist value orientations. The long period of Ottoman rule allowed patriarchal, warrior-tribal cultural patterns to persist and shape the basis for national and overall cultural identity. Extreme poverty, autarkical agricultural production, the slow penetration of capitalism and a market economy, an undifferentiated social structure with majority of rural population, patriarchal organization of both the private and public sphere and the authoritarian character of authority, were characteristics of Serbian pre-modern society, which inhibited its development and contributed to the persistence of traditionalism. Although the socialist period was modernizing in many respects, homology between socialist and pre-modern collectivist, egalitarian and authoritarian orientation, made it easy for nationalism to penetrate and consequently led to decomposition of the state in civil wars. Delayed post-socialist transformation, characterized by civil war, economic collapse, extreme impoverishment, and international isolation, has only strengthened the orientation towards pre-modern patterns of identification. This paper examines the persistence of collectivism, authoritarianism and patriarchal orientation in the period of unhindered post-socialist transformation, based on the data obtained in the "South-East European Social Survey Project" (SEESSP), conducted from December 2003 to January 2004. These results are compared with those obtained in the research project "Changes in the Class Structure and Mobility in Serbia", conducted in 1989.
Structural and institutional tendencies in the contemporary American sociology
Authors: Trajkovski Ilo
Published: July 2008

This article analyzes some of the most salient structural and institutional features and tendencies in the contemporary American sociology. Such analysis is based on the argument that American sociology has been functioning as a global sociological incubator in which many of the most prominent sociologists in the various national sociological traditions have been educated and professionally developed. It is argued that the institutional structure of contemporary American sociology is established during the previous two (the Chicago and the Parsonian) stages of its development. The present structural and institutional tendencies are analyzed as a result of the efforts of American sociological community to adapt them to the structural changes in the American Society as a whole, and in particularly to the changes in the habitat in which sociology articulates itself as science and as a profession. From this perspective the analysis is focused on aspects of the professional institutions, professional demography, membership in professional associations, professional labor market and of the professional ethics. For this purpose the author utilizes the very reach ASA data-base Trend Data on the Profession, which contains 39 indicators. The article concludes that the data-base describes positive institutional tendencies in the contemporary American sociology. Such tendencies rebuilt sociologist's self-confidence. Yet, this time the enthusiasm and the excitement are far away from exaltation. Following the arguments developed by P. Berger, A. Abbott and others, the author concludes that current institutional tendencies in the American sociology are strongly affected by the globalization. One of the main global challenges of the institutional structures of American sociology is the robust and well till recently marginalized European sociology.
Development of the sociology of mental disorders: An overview
Authors: Opalic Petar
Published: July 2008

In the introduction the social character of mental disorders is discussed. In the second part the contribution of individual authors and their works to the development of sociology of mental disorders in European countries and the USA is described, with special emphasis on the sociogenesis of mental disorders. There follows an overview of the theories of Comte, Durkheim Halbwachs, Meyer and Eliot, Goffman, Parsons, Foucault, as well as representatives of anti-psychiatry (Laing, Basaglia and Szasz) and Freudo-Marxists (Reich, Fromm etc), to contemporary authors of relevant textbooks (Gallagher, Eaton, Cocherham etc). The study of the sociology of mental disorders in Serbia is briefly sketched.