As a first step I will examine the discipline of anthropology and connect it afterwards with the particularities of postsocialism.
Anthropology may be comprehended to document, analyze, understand and maintain cultural variety of human social arrangements in all their historical diversity. The hallmark of the discipline lies on the understanding of culture. Clifford Geertz emphasises that therefore one has to learn what people think about and to understand the symbols, rituals and meanings that are of importance to them. The difference to other approaches is the focus on webs of meaning. To get to that point, one has to enter the field, directly to the people in order to get a close look from the inside. This nearness brings the advantage that anthropology is also capable to ‘uncontrolled’ aspects. The access in the field to otherwise unconsidered sides, delivers a deeper understanding of culture and offers data that would otherwise stay undiscovered. Anthropologists are skilled in deconstructing generalizations, stereotypes, and searches for universal laws. They produce knowledge of relevance to significant contemporary issues, which is of value to government, policy makers, businesses, technology developers, health care providers, teachers, and the general public.
Table of Contents
- The contribution of anthropology as a discipline to the study of post-socialist developments
- Anthropology and Postsocialism
- Eastern and Western Anthropology
- Globalization and Glocalization in Post-Socialist Contexts
- Challenges and Opportunities for Anthropological Research in Post-Socialist Settings
- The Role of Anthropology in Civil Society Development
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to explore the valuable contributions of anthropology to understanding post-socialist transformations. It examines the discipline's unique methodologies and perspectives, comparing Eastern and Western approaches and highlighting the challenges of applying Western models to diverse post-socialist contexts.
- The role of anthropology in studying post-socialist societies
- Comparative analysis of Eastern and Western anthropological approaches
- The impact of globalization and glocalization on post-socialist cultures
- Challenges of applying Western models in post-socialist contexts
- The contribution of anthropology to civil society development in post-socialist regions
Chapter Summaries
The contribution of anthropology as a discipline to the study of post-socialist developments: This introductory chapter establishes the relevance of anthropology in understanding post-socialist transitions. It defines anthropology's core methodologies, emphasizing its focus on cultural understanding through participant observation and its ability to uncover hidden aspects of social life. The chapter also introduces a comparison between anthropology and ethnology, highlighting their distinct origins, methodologies, and perspectives, suggesting a need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration. The differences between Eastern and Western anthropological approaches are also previewed, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these disparities in later sections.
Anthropology and Postsocialism: This chapter delves into the complexities of applying anthropological methods to the study of post-socialist societies. It discusses the historical context of anthropological research in socialist states, noting the restricted access for Western scholars and the subsequent opportunities for research after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The chapter explores the concept of "glocalization," analyzing how global forces interact with local realities in the post-socialist world, and particularly in the context of rapid transition or “shock therapy”. It emphasizes the limitations of simply transplanting Western models and the necessity of considering local conditions and the persistence of pre-existing social structures. The concept of "actually existing socialism" is introduced, emphasizing the incomplete erasure of prior social phenomena and the necessity of incorporating a political, as well as an anthropological, dimension into the analysis.
Eastern and Western Anthropology: This chapter compares and contrasts Eastern and Western anthropological approaches. It examines how historical developments, including the legacy of colonialism and the unique experiences of socialist states, shaped the methodologies and perspectives of these distinct schools of thought. The chapter highlights the critique of Euro-American anthropology offered by non-Western scholars, emphasizing the importance of cultural relativism and the need to avoid imposing external standards of judgment. The discussion includes the impact of the restricted access to Eastern European societies during the Cold War era and the subsequent opening of borders, creating opportunities for new perspectives and research.
Globalization and Glocalization in Post-Socialist Contexts: This section focuses on the impact of globalization on post-socialist societies. It explores the phenomenon of "glocalization," examining how global forces interact with local realities, leading to unique cultural outcomes. The chapter delves into the challenges of understanding cultural change in the context of rapid transitions, particularly the “shock therapy” associated with post-socialist transformations, while noting the persistence of local culture and its influence on globalizing processes.
Challenges and Opportunities for Anthropological Research in Post-Socialist Settings: This chapter addresses the inherent challenges and opportunities in conducting anthropological research in the diverse and rapidly changing landscape of post-socialist countries. The text highlights the complexities of comparability across vastly different regions and the limitations of generalizing findings. It critically examines the risks of using simplistic explanations—such as blaming "Balkan mentality" or other generalizations—when Western models fail to work in post-socialist contexts. The chapter underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated approaches to address the complexities of post-socialist transformations.
The Role of Anthropology in Civil Society Development: The final substantive chapter focuses on the crucial role of anthropology in supporting civil society development in post-socialist settings. It emphasizes the potential for anthropological research to inform policies and initiatives that are more culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate, thus contributing to more effective and sustainable development outcomes. The chapter highlights how overlooking local conditions often leads to the failure of development projects and emphasizes the potential for avoiding such failures through incorporating an anthropological perspective.
Keywords
Anthropology, post-socialism, cultural relativism, globalization, glocalization, Eastern European anthropology, Western anthropology, civil society, development, transition, cultural racism, interdisciplinary research, participant observation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the focus of this text?
This text explores the significant contributions of anthropology to understanding post-socialist transformations. It examines the discipline's unique methodologies and perspectives, comparing Eastern and Western approaches, and highlighting the challenges of applying Western models to diverse post-socialist contexts. The text covers topics such as the role of anthropology in studying post-socialist societies, comparative analysis of Eastern and Western anthropological approaches, the impact of globalization and glocalization, challenges of applying Western models, and the contribution of anthropology to civil society development.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
Key themes include the application of anthropological methods to post-socialist societies; a comparison of Eastern and Western anthropological approaches, considering historical influences and critiques; the impact of globalization and "glocalization" on post-socialist cultures and the challenges of rapid transitions; the challenges and opportunities for anthropological research in post-socialist settings, including the pitfalls of simplistic explanations; and finally, the role of anthropology in supporting civil society development in post-socialist regions, emphasizing culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate approaches.
What is the text's structure?
The text is structured to provide a comprehensive overview. It includes a table of contents, a statement of objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The chapter summaries provide detailed outlines of the content of each chapter, allowing for a thorough understanding of the arguments presented.
How does the text compare Eastern and Western anthropological approaches?
The text explicitly compares and contrasts Eastern and Western anthropological approaches, examining how historical developments, including colonialism and the experiences of socialist states, have shaped their methodologies and perspectives. It highlights critiques of Euro-American anthropology by non-Western scholars and emphasizes the importance of cultural relativism and avoiding the imposition of external standards.
What is the significance of "glocalization" in the context of this text?
The text emphasizes the concept of "glocalization," analyzing how global forces interact with local realities in post-socialist societies, particularly in the context of rapid transitions or "shock therapy." It highlights the limitations of simply transplanting Western models and the need to consider local conditions and the persistence of pre-existing social structures.
What are the challenges of anthropological research in post-socialist settings?
The text addresses the inherent challenges in conducting anthropological research in rapidly changing post-socialist countries, including the complexities of comparability across vastly different regions and the limitations of generalizing findings. It critically examines the risks of simplistic explanations and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated approaches.
What is the role of anthropology in civil society development in post-socialist contexts?
The text highlights the crucial role of anthropology in supporting civil society development by informing policies and initiatives that are more culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate. It emphasizes how overlooking local conditions often leads to the failure of development projects and stresses the potential for avoiding such failures through incorporating an anthropological perspective.
What are the key terms used throughout the text?
Key terms include anthropology, post-socialism, cultural relativism, globalization, glocalization, Eastern European anthropology, Western anthropology, civil society, development, transition, cultural racism, interdisciplinary research, and participant observation.
- Citation du texte
- MA Sandra Filzmoser (Auteur), 2011, The contribution of anthropology as a discipline to the study of post-socialist developments, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/200343
