Suchergebnisse

Religion in the modern (post)-industrial societies is still a significant social fact that in many ways connects everyday social, political and economic activities. Area of South-east Europe (SEE), or more precisely countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania, from the perspective of sciences that are exploring religion/religiosity are heuristically abundant. Source of misconceptions and misunderstandings of the "religious factor" in SEE largely stems from a lack of understanding of the fact that by no means is South-east Europe a homogeneous space. Exploration of these countries constantly refers to a fact that no convergence concerning religion can be observed for all of the mentioned countries, particularly if taken into account the fact that among those countries are those with high level of secularisation, for instance Slovenia, or those with high level of religiosity, for instance Croatia or Romania. Two research goals are set in this paper. The first one refers to the overall religious landscape in SEE countries. In this section the distribution of various elements of personal religiosity, on aggregate level, is presented for the purpose of understanding religious profile of SEE countries. Since religiosity is a multidimensional construct, several measurements of religiosity are chosen: indicator of religious self-assessment , indicator of belonging to a religious community, frequency of attendance at religious services as an indicator of religious practice, indicators of religious beliefs (traditional and alternative), indicator of importance of God in one´s own life, and indicator of religion as a source of comfort and strength. Beside insight into religiosity, religion` s role is explored from the perspective of social expectations. Since religion can be enrolled in various fields in public sphere, for the purpose of the analysis of religion` role in SEE, three main dimensions of public sphere have been operationalized: general social role of religion, socio-cultural role of religion and socio-political role.

The main goal of this paper was to research public expectations about the role of religion in 9 different societies of CEE. The general hypothesis is that perception (expectation) of religion in the public sphere differs considering the social field in which it is engaged. Differences in the public role of religion are detected through the research of social expectaions. Social expectations of the socio-cultural role of religion are higher than those of its socio- political role. The majority of respondents in all nine countries do not agree that religion should exert influence on politics.

IN ENGLISH: Inspired by the thesis that an alliance between degrowth and environmental justice (EJ) movements is essential (Akbulut et al., this issue), this paper presents the findings of empirical research concerning the pitfalls and possibilities of such an alliance as understood by prominent Croatian EJ movement leaders. We outline the context of the Croatian EJ movement through two specifics – the country's semiperipheral position in the global world-system and the ecological distribution conflicts (EDCs) characteristic of the post-socialist societal metabolism in Europe. The research explores the theory-practice nexus, materialist vs. post-materialist value base, and the potential of 'a politico-metabolic reconfiguration' (ibid.) for the proposed alliance. Our findings indicate a hitherto limited, but positive potential for degrowth to provide a theoretical framework for the semiperipheral EJ movement. Both the EJ movement and degrowth demonstrably share a materialist motivation, but not for reasons of 'under-development' of semiperipheral societies. Our analysis concludes that semiperipheral EJ activists are open to a politico-metabolic reconfiguration proposal, though they are presently not aware that a viable reconfiguration strategy is proffered by the degrowth research community. On the European semiperiphery, an alliance between theory and movement would benefit from a clearer explication of such a strategy. --- IN CROATIAN: Inspirirano tezom da je povezivanje pokreta odrast i pokreta ekološke pravde (EJ) nužno (Akbulut i sur., ovaj broj), u članku su predstavljeni nalazi empirijskog istraživanja stavova ključnih aktera pokreta ekološke pravde u Hrvatskoj o zamkama i mogućnostima povezivanja tih dvaju pokreta. Ocrtavamo kontekst pokreta ekološke pravde u Hrvatskoj kroz dvije specifičnosti – poluperiferijski položaj zemlje u globalnom svjetskom sistemu te ekološku distribuciju konflikata (EDCs) karakterističnu za post-socijalistički socijetalni metabolizam u Europi. Istraživanjem se ispituje povezanost teorije i prakse, materijalistički nasuprot post-materijalističkom vrijednosnom okviru, te potencijal "političko-metaboličke rekonfiguracije" (ibid.) za predloženo povezivanje. Naši nalazi upućuju na do sada ograničen, ali pozitivan potencijal odrasta za davanje teorijskog okvira pokretu ekološke pravde na poluperiferiji. I pokret odrast, i pokret ekološke pravde očigledno dijele materijalističke pobude, ali ne iz razloga "pod-razvijenosti" društava poluperiferije. Naš je zaključak da su aktivisti pokreta ekološke pravde na poluperiferiji otvoreni za prijedlog političko-metaboličke rekonfiguracije, iako trenutno nisu svjesni da istraživači odrasta predlažu izvedivu strategiju rekonfiguracije. Na europskoj bi poluperiferiji jasnije objašnjenje te strategije bilo na korist povezivanju teorije i aktivističkog pokreta.

IN ENGLISH: Energy poverty, the inability to access or afford modern energy services and to use them in a socially and culturally acceptable level without adverse impacts on health, is a growing concern. To investigate impacts of living in energy poverty, two sets of field visits and a phone survey have been undertaken (N=394) in Sisak- Moslavina County, Croatia. Data was collected (N=375) on living conditions, energy use and health through a structured survey. The majority of respondents live in uninsulated dwellings (93%) with fuelwood stoves as the only source of heating (78%). Mould and draught are a common sight (57% and 89% respectively). We have found a link between adverse living conditions and poor health proving that current policies are ineffective addressing that issue. During the second round of field visits, all households were provided with simple energy efficiency measures. To test impact of those measures a phone survey (N=60) was undertaken. Respondents have noted improvement in their overall comfort (77%). Significant improvement in quality of life (87%) was attributed to measures implemented. We argue that energy efficiency should be the first step in tacking energy poverty as it improves living conditions while easing the burden of state and household budget. --- IN CROATIAN: Energetsko siromaštvo, nemogućnost pristupa suvremenim energetskim uslugama ili nemogućnost da ih se priušti, te nemogućnost njihove upotrebe na društveno i kulturno prihvatljivoj razini bez štetnih utjecaja na zdravlje, sve je veća briga. Za istraživanje utjecaja življenja u energetskom siromaštvu obavljena su dva kruga terenskih posjeta i telefonska anketa (N = 394) u Sisačko-moslavačkoj županiji, Hrvatska. Prikupljeni su podaci (N = 375) o životnim uvjetima, korištenju energije i zdravlju kroz strukturirano istraživanje. Većina ispitanika živi u neizoliranim stanovima (93%) s pećima na drva kao jedinim izvorom grijanja (78%). Plijesan i propuh česte su pojave (57%, odnosno 89%). Pronašli smo poveznicu između nepovoljnih životnih uvjeta i lošeg zdravlja, što dokazuje da su trenutne politike neučinkovite u rješavanju ovog problema. Tijekom drugoga kruga terenskih posjeta, svim domaćinstvima bile su omogućene jednostavne mjere energetske učinkovitosti. Za ispitivanje utjecaja tih mjera obavljena je telefonska anketa (N = 60). Ispitanici su primijetili poboljšanje njihove ukupne udobnosti (77%). Značajno poboljšanje kvalitete života (87%) pripisano je provedenim mjerama. Smatramo da bi energetska učinkovitost trebala biti prvi korak u borbi protiv energetskog siromaštva jer poboljšava životne uvjete, dok olakšava teret državnog proračuna i kućanstava.

IN ENGLISH: The dominant socio-economic model of developed countries which is based on the imperative of economic growth makes, in absence of as yet technically unattainable rapid decarbonisation and dematerialisation, present day European societies unsustainable. The democratically-based degrowth concept and connected life practices offer a strategic scenario to avoid societal collapse. This chapter explores the extent to which the environmentally-motivated degrowth potential is present among European populations. Our findings indicate the prevalence of common awareness of environmental limits to growth among all European national populations, but different potential to address them between 'richer' (core) and 'poorer' (semi-peripheral) states. --- IN CROATIAN: Dominantan socio-ekonomski model razvijenih zemalja, baziran na imperativu ekonomskog rasta čini, u odsustvu za sada tehnički nedostižne brze dekarbonizacije i dematerijalizacije, sadašnja europska društva neodrživima. Demokratski utemeljen koncept odrasta i povezane životne prakse nude strateški scenarij za izbjegavanje društvenog kolapsa. Ovo poglavlje istražuje stupanj do kojeg je ekološki motiviran potencijal za odrast prisutan unutar europskih populacija. Naši nalazi pokazuju da prevladava uobičajena svijest o ekološkim ograničenjima rasta među svim europskim nacionalnim populacijama, no različit je potencijal za njihovo rješavanje u "bogatijim" (jezgra) i "siromašnijim" (semiperiferija) državama.

Avoiding a whole-scale collapse of the civilisation-supporting ecosystems within this century will require a change in the social metabolism, as well as expectations, aspirations, behaviours and attitudes of the majority of the global population, especially in the Global North. In absence of the technological innovation to allow maintenance and expansion of the current energy utilisation by the global society, but without the collapse-inducing byproducts, the societies will require a transformation along the lines of a degrowth scenario. The main goal of this paper is to explore to what extent is environmentally motivated degrowth potential present among European populations on the level of attitudes and evaluation of behaviour. In order to do so we use the ISSP research module Environment survey data from 2011, analysing comparative findings for 18 European 'old' and 'new' democracies. Our findings indicate the prevalence of common awareness of environmental limits to growth among all participating European national populations, but a different potential to apply them in a degrowth scenario between 'richer' and 'poorer' states, as well as between younger and older European degrowthers.

In the closing chapter, "Environmental sustainability and education: the case of Croatia and Slovenia", Mladen Domazet and Branko Ančić take a qualitative look at calls for change in educational content in line with the calls for social change in sustainability-oriented practices. The authors present an overview of studies of educational content related to environmental component of sustainability education in Croatia and Slovenia's compulsory education. They consider this component as a reflection on the development, prosperity and educational attainment of the two neighbouring countries' populations. The relevance of educational content in the context of this volume rests on the premise that education is an expression of a society's dominant choices ; that a politics of nature and development is inscribed in the educational projects notionally geared towards sustainability.

Attitudes of the adult population in Croatia on some of the issues in the field of marriage and sexuality are analysed in this paper. The aim was to explore the extent to which it is a
dominantly Christian, specifically Catholic population in accordance with norms of traditional church morality in these issues, and if recent data show any changes in this respect. Based on previous research considering congruence with church moral norms in the field of sexuality and marriage, a general hypothesis on religious respondents as a heterogeneous group was set. This implies that a higher religiosity (observed through indicators of religious
identification and practice) points to the lower permissiveness in attitudes toward sexuality and other issues in the area of marital relations. The paper used data from two studies:
Social and Religious Change in Croatia (SRC) from 2004 and the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) module Religion from 2008/2009. The analysis showed that religious
respondents are not a homogenous group, while an indicator of religious practice proved to be a consistent predictor of a greater chance that those respondents who regularly attend church for religious services are more traditional in attitudes about sexuality and marriage.
However, the findings indicate the presence of a combination of traditional and modern values in the population of believers. In the context of socio-demographic and socio-structural correlates, younger respondents, better educated, males and those in urban areas show a greater permissiveness in the investigated attitudes.

Aim. To assess the determinants and reasons for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy in Croatia. Methods. The data were collected through a sociological survey by using a mixed-mode approach (computer-assisted web interviewing and computer-assisted telephone interview) on a national sample of 765 adults aged 18 or above. Bivariate (χ2 test) and multivariate (binary logistic regression) statistical methods were used. Results. The rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was relatively high (35%), with unequal distribution across demographic groups. Binary logistic regression with demographic characteristics as predictors showed that women, younger age groups (especially 25-34-year-olds), persons residing in households with children, inhabitants of smaller settlements, and persons with lower levels of education had higher odds of vaccine hesitancy. Trust in the five main actors responding to the COVID-19 pandemic (the National Civil Protection Headquarters, Government, health care system, scientists-researchers, and media) was also a significant predictor of vaccine hesitancy. Risk perception was an even stronger predictor: persons who perceived SARS-CoV-2 infection as a small risk were more than ten times likelier to be vaccine hesitant than those who perceived it as a great risk. Conclusion. Social groups that are more prone to vaccine hesitancy need to be approached through different channels and messages by taking into account their trust in institutions and risk perception.

Aim To assess the determinants and reasons for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy in Croatia. Methods The data were collected through a sociological survey by using a mixed-mode approach (computer-assisted web interviewing and computer-assisted telephone interview) on a national sample of 765 adults aged 18 or above. Bivariate (χ2 test) and multivariate (binary logistic regression) statistical methods were used. Results The rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was relatively high (35%), with unequal distribution across demographic groups. Binary logistic regression with demographic characteristics as predictors showed that women, younger age groups (especially 25-34-year-olds), persons residing in households with children, inhabitants of smaller settlements, and persons with lower levels of education had higher odds of vaccine hesitancy. Trust in the five main actors responding to the COVID-19 pandemic (the National Civil Protection Headquarters, Government, health care system, scientists-researchers, and media) was also a significant predictor of vaccine hesitancy. Risk perception was an even stronger predictor: persons who perceived SARSCoV-2 infection as a small risk were more than ten times likelier to be vaccine hesitant than those who perceived it as a great risk. Conclusion Social groups that are more prone to vaccine hesitancy need to be approached through different channels and messages by taking into account their trust in institutions and risk perception.

IN ENGLISH: In Western European countries, studies on the relationship between class position and political outlooks so far have a limited understanding of the relevance of class analysis, while in semiperipheral countries, like Croatia, research on class-related mechanisms and political behavior is modest, with a clear deficit of empirical research. The main goal of class analysis is to have the potential to explain various life outcomes primarily through explaining and exploring relationships between class position and life chances. In this article, we have employed neo-Weberian class analysis with the purpose to explore the relationship between class position and political behavior. In the article we use the concept of political behavior as a broader term that consists of individuals' interest in politics, political efficacy, and political participation (voter turnout). We have used the data from the International Social Survey Program module Role of Government V from 2016. Analysis has shown that in Croatia, class membership is a predictor of interest in politics and political efficacy, i.e., that the members of a higher class show greater interest in politics and assess that they have a better understanding of politics. Class per se does not have a direct effect on voter turnout, but it is mediated through political efficacy and interest in politics since voting is mostly under the influence of personal interest in politics. --- IN CROATIAN: U zapadnoeuropskim zemljama istraživanja odnosa između klasne pozicije i političkih stavova do sada su pokazivala ograničeno shvaćanje važnosti klasne analize, a u zemljama polu-periferije, poput Hrvatske, istraživanja mehanizama povezanih s klasom i političkog ponašanja su skromna, s jasnim nedostatkom empirijskih istraživanja. Glavni cilj klasne analize je stvoriti mogućnost objašnjenja različitih životnih ishoda, prvenstveno kroz objašnjavanje i istraživanje odnosa između klasne pozicije i životnih šansi. U ovom smo članku koristili neoveberijansku klasnu analizu kako bismo istražili odnos između klasne pozicije i političkog ponašanja. U članku koristimo koncept političkog ponašanja kao širi termin koji se sastoji od zainteresiranosti pojedinaca za politiku, njihove političke efikasnosti te političke participacije (izlaska na izbore). Koristili smo podatke iz programa ISSP (International Social Survey Program) i to modula Uloga vlasti V iz 2016. godine. Analiza je pokazala da je u Hrvatskoj klasna pripadnost prediktor zainteresiranosti za politiku i političke efikasnosti, odnosno da pripadnici više klase pokazuju veće zanimanje za politiku i procjenjuju da se bolje razumiju u politiku. Klasa po sebi nema izravan učinak na izlazak na izbore, ali on je posredovan političkom efikasnošću i zanimanjem za politiku, obzirom da je glasovanje većinom pod utjecajem osobne zainteresiranosti za politiku.

IN ENGLISH: Increases in energy prices pose a significant problem for many families in the Western Balkan region. Energy vulnerable groups in the region are facing adverse impacts on physical and mental health and they are unable to meet their basic needs. It is of utmost importance to find policy solutions which will enable easing of burden for affected households. This chapter examines the policy context and discusses the results of case study analyses undertaken in Balkan countries, with the aim of identifying possible policy solutions to cost effectively tackle energy poverty in the region. --- IN CROATIAN: Povećanje cijena energije predstavlja značajan problem za mnoge obitelji na zapadnom Balkanu. Energetske ranjive skupine u regiji suočene su s nepovoljnim utjecajima na tjelesno i mentalno zdravlje i ne mogu zadovoljiti svoje osnovne potrebe. Vrlo je važno pronaći rješenja koja će omogućiti ublažavanje tereta za pogođena kućanstva. Ovo poglavlje ispituje kontekst politika i raspravlja o rezultatima analize studija slučaja u balkanskim zemljama s ciljem identificiranja mogućih političkih rješenja za učinkovito rješavanje energetskog siromaštva u regiji.

IN CROATIAN: U radu se iznose opravdanja za društveno-humanistička istraživanja klimatskih promjena u Hrvatskoj te pregledavaju dosadašnje spoznaje i izlaže analiza recentno dostupnih podataka. Ovime autori nastoje ne samo otvoriti dijalog na temu klimatskih promjena među prirodnim i društvenim znanostima u Hrvatskoj, nego takav dijalog zagovarati i pregledom međunarodne literature i primjerom analize podataka prikupljenih u Hrvatskoj. Nakon pregleda koncepta antropocena i njegove povezanosti s globalnim klimatskim promjenama, opravdava se važnost istraživanja stavova građana vezanih za opasnost od klimatskih promjena i relevantnih društvenih strategija. Zatim se sumiraju nalazi najznačajnijih prethodnih istra-živanja stavova građana u Hrvatskoj i Europskoj uniji. Rezultati istraživanja posebno predstavljenog u ovom radu na tragu su odgovora vide li, i u kojoj mjeri hrvatski građani percipiraju klimatske promjene. Kroz kvantitativni metodološki pristup analizira se kako građani ocjenjuju ozbiljnost klimatskog problema, njegovu opasnost po stabilnost okoliša, natjecanje s gospodarskim razvojem te učinkovitost politike Europske unije i Hrvatske u borbi protiv klimatskih promjena. Zatim se ispituje koji su socio-kulturni faktori povezani sa spremnošću građana na materijalno odricanje i usvajanje pro-okolišnih obrazaca ponašanja. U konačnici se izvode preporuke za daljnja istraživanja, interdisciplinarno razumijevanje kompleksne problematike i javno-obrazovnu ulogu znanstvene zajednice. Zbog uočene važnosti utjecaja ekonomske nesigurnosti na spremnost za demokratsko djelovanje u borbi protiv klimatskih promjena, interdisciplinarno razumijevanje klimatske problematike dobiva još više na važnosti. --- IN ENGLISH: The paper presents the justification for social science and humanities research concerning climate change in Croatia, as well as a review of previous findings and analysis of recently collected data. Through this paper the authors seek not only to open a dialogue on the topic of climate change between the natural and social sciences in Croatia, but to justify the urgency of such a dialogues based on the review of international literature and analysis of survey data collected in Croatia. After reviewing the concept of the Anthropocene and its connection with global climate change, further justification is given of the importance of research into attitudes of citizens concerning climate change and mitigating social strategies. An overview of the most relevant findings of previous research into these attitudes of citizens in Croatia and the European Union is then presented. The latest findings analyses in this paper focus on whether and to what extent Croatian citizens perceive ('see') climate change as a phenomenon with important social implications. Through quantitative methodological approach, the authors analyse the extent to which Croatian citizens assess the seriousness of the climate problem, its threat to the stability of the natural environment, its antagonism with economic development and the effectiveness of EU and Croatian policies in combating climate change. Further on, we explore what socio-cultural factors are connected with the willingness of citizens for material sacrifice and adoption of pro-environmental behaviour patterns. Finally recommendations are made for further research, interdisciplinary understanding of complex issues and the educational role of the scientific community. Due to significance of impact of economic insecurity on the potential for democratic support for climate change mitigation recorded in this analysis, interdisciplinary understanding of climate issues is even more important.