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Abjection, materiality and ontological security: A study of the unfinished Church of Christ the Saviour in Pristina
No full textOntological security scholarship in International Relations (IR) has predominantly focused on the importance of social environments for the healthy sense of self. However, material environments can also provide an important source of ontological security. In my previous work I have argued that to assume this role of 'ontic spaces' material environments need to be discursively linked to states' self-identity either through projection or introjection. In this article, I draw on the work of Julia Kristeva to argue that ontic spaces can also come about through abjection or the rejection of a material environment from the narrative of the self. I illustrate this theoretical point in the case study of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Christ the Saviour in Pristina. Its construction began in 1992 during the rule of Slobodan Milosevic but was never finished due to the Kosovo war in 1998/9. Over the years, as all proposed changes are considered to be a threat to a healthy sense of self of either Serbs or Albanians, the building has been turned into an abjected ontic space, an ambiguous symbol undermining the self/other and victim/oppressor boundaries and as such both repels and attracts, threatens and protects
Qualifying the common pool problem in government spending: the role of positional externalities
No full textUnder what circumstances do coalition partners tend to overspend? The so-far dominant explanation relies on the common pool resource theory-the more cabinet members there are, the higher the spending. While theoretically sound, this explanation seems to be more relevant for some cases and less for others. What could lie behind this discrepancy? While the literature to date has focused on institutional factors, we propose a mechanism that relates to voting behaviour. Relying on the concept of positional externalities, we argue that each coalition member wishes to spend relatively more resources than the other coalition member(s) to attract impressionable voters. Positional externalities, we claim, exhibit a direct positive effect on total spending and, perhaps more importantly, interact with the common pool resource factor, decreasing its relevance when they are weak
Socijalno-ekonomski aspekti mentalnog zdravlja mladih u Beogradu u kontekstu strateške kulture
Get PDFMental health of people is an important individual and social resource, especially in the modern Serbian society, which has problems with demography. Without full mental health, a person is not aware of himself and his abilities, and he cannot develop to his full capacity. Therefore, a person cannot contribute to his own well-being, and also be a productive member of the social community. It is the basis of well-being, both for individuals and a healthy society, as well as one of the sources of strategic culture. The existence of awareness of the mental health problems of the nation, especially the young population, is a segment of strategic culture. There are many factors that affect mental health, and the three main ones are biological, psychological and social factors. Only if we take into account the interaction of these three factors we can talk about mental disorder as a phenomenon. Our goal is to gain the insight into those social, sociological, economic and psychological factors that can produce negative consequences for mental health, in this case the occurrence and development of neurotic disorders in the population of young people in Belgrade. This paper presents the data from the study conducted in 2013, which dealt with socio-economic aspects of neurotic disorder in the youth population in Belgrade. The general goal of the research is to determine which economic and (or) social factors can influence the occurrence of neurotic disorders to these young people. The findings of the research indicate that young people who suffer from neurotic disorders are materially and psychologically dependent on their parents. In the families of the respondents, there is a strong psychological mutual connection, especially in the relationship between the respondent and their mothers. When it comes to family members, the mother is the mainstay of financial, moral and counseling support for the respondents. Psychological dependence on emotional objects of security is one of the important features of neurotic disorder, and in our country it represents a typical pattern of behavior, a culture-based relationship between parents and children.Mentalno zdravlje ljudi je važan individualni i društveni resurs, pogotovo u savremenom srpskom društvu koje ima velikih problema sa demografijom. Bez punog mentalnog zdravlja osoba nije svesna sebe i svojih sposobnosti, te se ne može razviti do svojih punih kapaciteta. Samim tim, ne može doprineti sopstvenom boljitku, ni biti produktivan deo društvene i socijalne zajednice. Mentalno zdravlje je osnova blagostanja, kako za pojedince, tako i za zdravo društvo i predstavlja jedno od izvorišta strateške kulture. Postojanje svesti o problemima mentalnog zdravlja nacije, posebno mlade populacije, predstavlja primarni segment strateške kulture. Mnogo je činilaca koji utiču na mentalno zdravlje, a tri osnovna koja su međusobno isprepletana i uslovljena su: biološki, psihološki i socijalni činioci. Tek ako se uzme u obzir njihovo međudejstvo može se govoriti o mentalnom poremećaju kao fenomenu u svom totalitetu. Fokus ovog rada biće na jednoj od spomenutih perspektiva u proučavanju ove pojave. Cilj je sticanje uvida u one socijalne, sociološke, ekonomske ali i psihološke činioce koji mogu proizvesti negativne posledice na mentalno zdravlje, u ovom slučaju na pojavu i razvoj neurotičnih poremećaja u populaciji mladih ljudi u Beogradu. Biće predstavljeni i podaci istraživanja sprovedenog 2013. godine, koje se bavilo socio-ekonomskim aspektima neurotičnog poremećaja mladih u našoj prestonici. Opšti cilj bio je da se utvrdi koji ekonomski i (ili) socijalni činioci mogu uticati na pojavu ovog neurotičnog poremećaja. Nalazi istraživanja ukazali su na to da su mladi koji pate od ovog poremećaja materijalno i psihološki zavisni od svojih roditelja. U porodicama ispitanika prisutna je jaka psihološka uzajamna vezanost, naročito na relaciji ispitanik-majka. Od svih članova porodice majka je ispitanicima glavni oslonac finansijske, moralne i savetodavne podrške. Psihološka zavisnost od emocionalnih objekata sigurnosti je jedna od važnih odlika neurotičnog poremećaja, a u našoj zemlji predstavlja tipičan obrazac ponašanja, kulturom utemeljen odnos između roditelja i dece
How many truths are there? Reconciliation and agonistic dialogue in the former Yugoslavia
No full textIn this paper, we offer a possible interpretation of reconciliation in the former Yugoslav area. In a conflicting past and not-reconciled region, it is presumed that the truth should be the main pillar of reconciliation. However, according to our empirical analysis of 146 reconciliation projects implemented in the period between 2002 and 2015, there are many interpretations of truths in the region which are opposed to each other. These interpretations are the result of different national political constructions, supported by the dominant structures of the societies in question. Accordingly, instead of insisting on a single factual truth, we propose the introduction of the 'agonistic dialogue' principle, where multiple truths would coexist, thus turning former war enemies into political adversaries in the post-conflict setting
The EU's stability-democracy dilemma in the context of the problematic accession of the Western Balkan states
Get PDFThe accession of the remaining six Western Balkan states into the EU is shrouded in much uncertainty. Despite Croatia finally traversing the difficult path to eventual membership in 2013, not one of the remaining Western Balkan countries can claim to be on a definite pathway to membership today. An increasingly prevalent argument is that the EU's engagement with its neighbourhoods has faltered because its strategies have been undermined by an inherent stability-democracy dilemma. This article examines the EU's engagement with the Western Balkans and finds that although the EU tried to transcend this dilemma, in reality, a tension between stability and democracy was present with the former generally receiving more attention in policymaking. This led to not only a lack of tangible democratization amongst the Western Balkan states, but further uncertainty about their accession prospects. By 2018, it was clear that the EU's engagement with the Western Balkans needed a rethink, resulting in a new approach: the 'Six Flagship Initiatives'. However, given the apprehensiveness of some member states (especially France) coupled with the presence of outsiders such as Russia and China in the area, the accession prospects of the six non-EU Western Balkan states remains blurred
Elections, Democracy and Competitive Authoritarianism in Serbia 1990–2020.
No full textDemokratija podrazumeva redovne, višestranačke i takmičarske izbore, ali se ne može poistovetiti sa takvim izborima. Bez slobodnih i poštenih a ne samo takmičarskih izbora, kao i zaštite osnovnih sloboda i ravnopravnog takmičenja između vladajućih i opozicionih stranaka, demokratska politička utakmica nije moguća. Srbija je jedna od mnogih država koje su posle socijalizma napustile jedan oblik autoritarizma, između ostalog i održavanjem takmičarskih izbora, a samo u polovini tog razdoblja može se smatrati demokratskom - tokom decenije i po posle Petog oktobra. Takmičarski autoritarizam, mešoviti režim koji spaja demokratske procedure i autoritarnu vladavinu, iskusili smo u dva navrata: tokom devedesetih, u vreme vladavine Miloševića, i posle sloma demokratije 2015/2016, u vreme vladavine Vučića. Oba puta bila su prisutna sva tri obeležja tog režima: takmičarski ali neslobodni i/ili nepošteni izbori, sistematsko kršenje medijskih sloboda i "iskrivljeno igralište" na kojem su se nadmetale vladajuće i opozicione stranke. Takav politički razvoj Srbije nije izuzetak u regionu već se u određenoj meri poklapa i sa razvojem demokratije u drugim državama Balkana.Democracy entails regular, multiparty and competitive elections but also
elections that are free and fair and supported by the protection of basic freedoms and a level
playing field between ruling and opposition parties. Serbia is one of many postcommunist
countries that abandoned one form of authoritarianism by holding competitive elections
but whose democratic rule spanned only a decade and a half after the fall of Milošević.
Competitive authoritarianism, a hybrid regime that mixes democratic procedure with
authoritarian governance, occurred twice: during Milošević’s rule in the 1990s and during
Vučić’s rule following the end of democracy in 2015–2016. Both involved all three features
of competitive authoritarianism: competitive but unfree and/or unfair elections, systematic
violations of media freedoms and an uneven playing field between ruling and opposition
parties. Serbia is not an exceptional case in the region in this respect but reflects democratic
development in other parts of the Balkans
Media representation of the European union: Key theoretical approaches
Get PDFThe paper examines key theoretical approaches that study the EU representa-
tion in the media and that are present in the contemporary academic re-
searches. The main theoretical concepts and analyses of the media reporting
on the relevant EU issues in the EU member states and outside the EU have
been identified. Looking into the most relevant and contemporary academic
literature, the paper aims to explain how academic research has contributed
to better understanding of the media representation of the EU, the relation-
ship between the EU institutions and journalists, as well as the media effects
related to citizens’ perceptions of the European Union.Rad se bavi teorijskim pristupima koji izučavaju medijsku reprezentaciju Evropske unije, a koji su prisutni u akademskim istraživanjima od početka dvehiljaditih godina do danas. U radu se identifikuju glavni teorijski koncepti i istraživački pravci koji su ključni za razumevanje medijskog izveštavanja o EU u zemljama članicama i državama Zapadnog Balkana. Glavni cilj ovog rada je da objasni na koji način akademska istraživanja u ovoj oblasti doprinose boljem razumevanju medijskog izveštavanja o EU, odnosa novinara sa EU institucijama i efekata medijske reprezentacije EU na stavove građana
The experience and perceptions of gender discriminination within the family: Impact on basic self-esteem and coping strategies
Get PDFIako se žene u Srbiji i dalje suočavaju s različitim oblicima diskriminacije
u porodičnim i partnerskim odnosima, one sebe retko opažaju kao žrtve takvog postupanja. Umanjivanje opažene rodne diskriminacije pomaže da kratkoročno očuvaju
pozitivnu sliku o sebi, ali ih istovremeno sprečava da reaguju na činove diskriminacije
i dugoročno zaštite svoju psihološku dobrobit. Stoga u ovom radu ispitujemo diskrepanciju između ličnih iskustava i subjektivnog opažanja rodne diskriminacije u porodičnim i partnerskim odnosima, kao i povezanost opažanja ovakvog tretmana sa bazičnim samopoštovanjem i strategijama suočavanja sa postupcima rodne diskriminacije.
Podaci su prikupljeni na prigodnom uzorku od 273 žene starosti od 19 do 62 godine,
iz različitih krajeva Srbije, pomoću sledećih instrumenata: percepcija lične rodne diskriminacije, Rozenbergova skala samopoštovanja, Lista rodno diskriminatornih događaja i Suočavanje sa rodnom diskriminacijom. Nalazi potvrđuju diskrepanciju između
nivoa opažene i doživljene rodne diskriminacije. Naime, iako žene smatraju da nisu
bile diskriminisane, njihova iskustva svedoče o učestaloj diskriminaciji u porodičnim
i partnerskim odnosima. Rezultati ukazuju da je opažanje lične diskriminacije u porodici porekla povezano sa nižim samopoštovanjem žena, kao i sa korišćenjem pasivnih
strategija suočavanja sa diskriminacijom u odraslom dobu. Istovremeno, očuvano samopoštovanje predstavlja jedinu varijablu merenu u ovoj studiji koja predviđa upotrebu aktivnih strategija suočavanja sa ovakvim iskustvima. Nalazi potvrđuju psihološku
dinamiku začaranog kruga diskriminacije u porodičnim odnosima: prepoznavanje rodne diskriminacije narušava samopoštovanje žene i pasivizuje je, čineći je podložnom
novim i težim činovima diskriminacije koji dalje produbljuju nisko samopštovanje i
pasivnost. Zbog toga su za prevenciju rodno zasnovanog nasilja neophodni edukativni
programi u cilju senzibilisanja javnosti za prepoznavanje različitih i diskretnijih ispoljavanja rodne diskriminacije u svim sferama života: Although women in Serbia still face different forms of discrimination in
family and intimate partner relationships, they rarely perceive themselves as victims
of such discrimination. Minimising the observed gender discrimination helps them
to maintain a positive self image in the short run; however, in the long haul it prevents them from reacting to such acts and protecting their psychological wellbeing. In
this paper we examine the discrepancy between personal experiences and subjective
perception of gender discrimination in family and intimate partner relationships, as
well as the connection between the perception of such treatment and basic self-esteem
and strategies of coping with gender discrimination. Data are collected from a suitable
sample of 273 women aged between 19 and 62, from different parts of Serbia, using
the following instruments: The perception of personal gender discrimination, Rosenberg’s self-esteem scale, The list of instances of gender discrimination, and Coping with
gender discrimination. The findings confirm the discrepancy between the level of perceived and experienced gender discrimination. Although women do not see themselves
as discriminated, their experiences testify to frequent discrimination in family and intimate partner relationships. The results indicate the correlation between the perception of personal discrimination within the family and the women’s lower self-esteem in
adulthood. At the same time, the preserved self-esteem is one of the variables measured
in this study, which presupposes the use of active strategies in coping with such experiences. The findings confirm the psychological dynamics of vicious cycle of discrimination within family relationships: recognising gender discrimination undermines a
woman’s self-esteem and passivises her; it makes her liable to new and more severe acts
of discrimination which then further undermines her self-esteem and contributes to
her passivity. Educational programmes are essential in the prevention of gender based
violence, aiming to raise awareness in the general public of the diverse and more discrete forms of gender discrimination in all spheres of life
Socijalna politika u zaštiti mentalnog zdravlja i prevenciji bolesti zavisnosti
Get PDFRazmatranja zaštite mentalnog zdravlja i prevencije bolesti zavisnosti unutar
nauke i prakse socijalne politike mogu se pozicionirati, između ostalog, u okvire države
blagostanja.
Praktične adaptacije teorijskih pristupa državi blagostanja rezultovale su različitim politikama u oblasti mentalnog zdravlja, čiji su karakteristični tipovi opisani i analizirani u
radu. U osnovi različitih pristupa politika u praksi nalaze se različite interpretacije kompleksnih relacija koje se mogu uspostaviti između koncepta slobode u socijalnoj politici i
(ne)slobode koju kreiraju bolesti zavisnosti.
Stavke politike, njenog dizajna i logike, imaju ključni značaj u kontekstima države blagostanja, sa važnim i neposrednim posledicama za politike zaštite mentalnog zdravlja i
prevencije bolesti zavisnosti. U radu se stoga razmatraju izazovi preoblikovanja „problema” bolesti zavisnosti u predmet politike i njegove interpretacije, a zatim i četiri osnovne
argumentacije koje se nalaze u osnovi kreiranja politika zaštite mentalnog zdravlja.
Rad se zasniva na kvalitativnoj analizi postojeće literature iz oblasti socijalne politike o
mentalnom zdravlju. Osnovni cilj je ukazivanje na veze između ovih oblasti, uz zagovaranje pristupa koji bi efektivno rezultovao koordinacijom i partnerstvima.Considerations of mental health protection and addiction diseases’ prevention within the theory and practice of social policy can be positioned, interalia, within the topic of the welfare state.
Practical adaptations of theoretical approaches to the welfare state resulted in the variety of policies in the field of mental health. Their types are
described and analyzed in this paper. The roots of different policy approaches
in the practice stem from the differences in the interpretations of complex relations that can be established between the concept of freedom in social policy
and (un)freedom created by addiction diseases.
Policy items, its design and logic, are crucial in the contexts of welfare
states, with important and immediate implications for the policies of mental
health protection and addiction diseases’ prevention. Therefore, the paper discusses the challenges of transforming a „problem” of addiction disease into the
subject matter of policy and its interpretation. Further, it considers four basic argumentation underlying the creation of the policy of mental health protection.
The paper is based on the qualitative analysis of the literature on mental
health in the field of social policy. Its main aim is to explore the relations between the the fields of mental health and social policy, while advocating for an
approach that would effectively result in the coordination and partnership