Theories & Methods in Social science AND humanities -- to understand and explain… = two examples: 1) Nationalism and/or 2) Religion and social life.

theories & Methods in Social science theories & Methods in Social science AND humanities AND humanities

-- -- to understand and explain… = two examples: to understand and explain… = two examples:

1) 1) Nationalism Nationalism and/orand/or 2) 2) Religion and social lifeReligion and social life

Mattias säger ex:Mattias säger ex:

a) a) Jag är konservativJag är konservativ

b) b) Min forskning genomsyras Min forskning genomsyras

av marxistiska perspektivav marxistiska perspektiv

c) c) Jag är aktiv i Jag är aktiv i

Feministiskt InitiativFeministiskt Initiativ

d) d) Jag antar att när jag äter Jag antar att när jag äter

pizza så blir jag gladpizza så blir jag glad

Let’s start with a reflection…..

So…??

Reflections on the ”ISMS”

Liberalism

Conservatism

Marxism

Realism

feminism

Constructivism

*Ideas ?

*Ideologies

?

*Political

projects ?

*Grand

theories ?

Grand theory is any theory which

attempts an overall explanation of social

life, history, or human experience. It is

normally contrasted with empiricism,

positivism, or the view that understanding

is only possible by studying particular

instances, societies, or phenomena.

Source: Quentin Skinner, ed., The Return of Grand Theory in the Human Sciences

(Cambridge, 1985)

UnderstandingUnderstanding theories about nationalismtheories about nationalism to understand to understand nationalismnationalism

Nationalists

Modernism Constructivism

Ethno-symbolism Nations &

nationalisms

Nations / National identities / Nationalisms

Are nations ancient or modern? (role of the past in the creation of the present)

Are nations natural or constructed? = ”real” or ”imagined”?

2 theoretical questions:

Constuctivism in nationalism research...Constuctivism in nationalism research...

Imagined communitiesImagined communities (B. Anderson)(B. Anderson)

[a nation] It is [a nation] It is imaginedimagined because the members because the members

of even the smallest nation will never know of even the smallest nation will never know

most of their fellow-members, meet them, or most of their fellow-members, meet them, or

even hear of them, yet in the minds of each even hear of them, yet in the minds of each

lives the image of their communionlives the image of their communion

= Media / Technology / Modernity /...= Media / Technology / Modernity /...

Ethno-symbolismEthno-symbolism in nationalism research...in nationalism research...

"... nationalists have a vital role in the formation of "... nationalists have a vital role in the formation of

nations, not as social engineers, but as political nations, not as social engineers, but as political

archaeologists rediscovering … the communal past archaeologists rediscovering … the communal past

in order to regenerate the community. … they forget in order to regenerate the community. … they forget

as well as remember the past, but to succeed they as well as remember the past, but to succeed they

must meet certain criteria. Their interpretations must must meet certain criteria. Their interpretations must

be consonant not only with nationalism (as an be consonant not only with nationalism (as an

ideology) but also with the scientific evidence, ideology) but also with the scientific evidence,

popular resonance and patterning of particular popular resonance and patterning of particular

ethnohistories. ethnohistories. (Anthony D. Smith)(Anthony D. Smith)

a theory?: a theory?:

I believe that the EuropeanI believe that the European

Union … reflects what Union … reflects what

the world will look like at the world will look like at

the end of history … the end of history …

The EU's attempt to The EU's attempt to

transcend sovereignty and transcend sovereignty and

traditional power politics by traditional power politics by

establishing a transnational rule of lawestablishing a transnational rule of law

is in line with a "post-historical" worldis in line with a "post-historical" world

Max WeinreichMax Weinreich::

””a shprakh iz a dialekt mit an armey un flot”a shprakh iz a dialekt mit an armey un flot”

(( אE שּפרַאך איז אE דיַאלעקט מיט ַאן ַארמיי און ֿפלָאט ) )

Ett språk är en dialekt med en armé och en flotta

Язык Язык -- это диалект, у которого есть армия и флот это диалект, у которого есть армия и флот

Una lengua es un dialecto con un ejército

a theory?:

Back to Back to theories about nationalism = theories about nationalism = LevelsLevels ((constructivismconstructivism as an example) as an example)

““Grand Theory”: Grand Theory”: = Social reality (identities, = Social reality (identities, historical knowledge, gender roles,…) = socially historical knowledge, gender roles,…) = socially constructed. National identities are thus a result of constructed. National identities are thus a result of socio-political and cultural processes of construction. socio-political and cultural processes of construction. [Modernity & elites in focus][Modernity & elites in focus]

““Large” Theory Large” Theory = Italian identity is a nineteen = Italian identity is a nineteen century construction = politics + culture supported “by century construction = politics + culture supported “by the political Rome”.. (Garibaldi, Mazzini,…, and their the political Rome”.. (Garibaldi, Mazzini,…, and their power over collective knowledge/imaginations)power over collective knowledge/imaginations)

Back to Back to theories about nationalism = theories about nationalism = LevelsLevels ((constructivismconstructivism as an example) as an example)

““Medium Theory” Medium Theory” = = Giuseppe Mazzini (+ La Giovine Italia) was enormously influential in giving meaning to the Italian national identity. (It would not be the same without him & it..) Nationally oriented Nationally oriented

political a d cultural elites contributed strongly to the political a d cultural elites contributed strongly to the

construction of modern Italian identityconstruction of modern Italian identity

““Micro TheoryMicro Theory” ” = the publication about … was = the publication about … was enormously influential on …?...?...

The Light and Darkness of the Occident The Light and Darkness of the Occident - The contemporary Polish and American Christian Right in a - The contemporary Polish and American Christian Right in a

ComparativeComparative Perspective (a pilot study) Perspective (a pilot study)

An example of how we may work An example of how we may work with theories and methodswith theories and methods……

Comparative analysisComparative analysis

Throughout your academic career, you'll be asked Throughout your academic career, you'll be asked

to write papers in which you compare and contrast to write papers in which you compare and contrast

two things: two texts, two theories, two historical two things: two texts, two theories, two historical

figures (…) "Classic" compare-and-contrast papers, figures (…) "Classic" compare-and-contrast papers,

in which you weight A and B equally, may be about in which you weight A and B equally, may be about

two similar things that have crucial differences (…) two similar things that have crucial differences (…)

or two similar things that have crucial differences, or two similar things that have crucial differences,

yet turn out to have surprising commonalities (…)yet turn out to have surprising commonalities (…)

REF: REF: Kerry Walk, for the Writing Center at Harvard University, Kerry Walk, for the Writing Center at Harvard University,

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CompAnalysis.htmhttp://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CompAnalysis.htm

ll

Comparative analysisComparative analysis

Organizational Scheme. Your introduction will Organizational Scheme. Your introduction will

include your frame of reference, grounds for include your frame of reference, grounds for

comparison, and thesis. There are two basic comparison, and thesis. There are two basic

ways to organize the body of your paper. ways to organize the body of your paper.

In In text-by-texttext-by-text, you discuss all of A, then all of , you discuss all of A, then all of

B. In B. In point-by-pointpoint-by-point, you alternate points about , you alternate points about

A with comparable points about B. A with comparable points about B. REF: REF: Kerry Walk, for the Writing Center at Harvard University, Kerry Walk, for the Writing Center at Harvard University,

http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CompAnalysis.htmlhttp://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CompAnalysis.html

Polish conservative politics in Western media, a few Polish conservative politics in Western media, a few examples…examples…

International Herald TribuneInternational Herald Tribune (2005.11.24) (2005.11.24) Poland and Brussels face clash of culturesPoland and Brussels face clash of cultures

New York Times New York Times (2005.12.04)(2005.12.04) Conservative Conservative Poland Roils European UnionPoland Roils European Union;;

The TimesThe Times (2009.07.16)(2009.07.16) Right-wing Polish MEP Right-wing Polish MEP Michal Kaminski becomes Tories controversial Michal Kaminski becomes Tories controversial EU leader EU leader

Theoretical reflection

Many commentators of Western politics (mainly in Western Europe) seem to be somewhat blinded by the ‘modernization-secularization theory’. ( e.g. Francis Fukuyama’s “end of history” = rationalist secularism.) Secular liberalism is ingrained in Western political & academic interpretations of European politics = the strong position of religion in Poland or in the US = seen as an outdated and surprising phenomenon…

SECULARIZATION THEORY versus

DESECULARIZATION THEORY

Peter Beger: Peter Beger:

““What I and most other sociologist of religionWhat I and most other sociologist of religion

wrote in the 1960 about secularization was a wrote in the 1960 about secularization was a mistake. Our underlying argument was that mistake. Our underlying argument was that secularization and modernization go hand secularization and modernization go hand

in hand. […] Most of the world in hand. […] Most of the world

today is certainly not seculartoday is certainly not secular””

• * to be compared with:…

= = Multiple ModernitiesMultiple Modernities as Limits as Limits

to Secular Europeanization? to Secular Europeanization?

the idea of multiple modernities presumes the idea of multiple modernities presumes

that the best way to understand the that the best way to understand the

contemporary world is to see is as a story of continual contemporary world is to see is as a story of continual

constitution and reconstitution of a multiplicity of cultural constitution and reconstitution of a multiplicity of cultural

programsprograms” ”

= how to define the concept of a civilization? = how to define the concept of a civilization?

= how to define the concept of the Occident? = how to define the concept of the Occident?

The essence of ”this” discourseThe essence of ”this” discourse::

A belief that a divine intent rules societies as well as

conscience, forging an eternal chain of rights and duties.

Political problems are in their nature religious and moral

ones. “Politics is the art of apprehending and applying the

Justice which is above nature” (Kirk 1968; 18).

== A dichotomy between a ‘Christian America’ and a A dichotomy between a ‘Christian America’ and a

‘secular Europe’ seems to be more and more ‘secular Europe’ seems to be more and more

outdated, especially after the Eastern enlargement outdated, especially after the Eastern enlargement

of the EU. The evangelical (but also Catholic) of the EU. The evangelical (but also Catholic)

Christian discourse in American politics, as well as Christian discourse in American politics, as well as

religiously legitimized politics in Poland, open new religiously legitimized politics in Poland, open new

questions about secularization versus questions about secularization versus

desecularization of Western politics… desecularization of Western politics… = the present = the present

pilot studypilot study……

Comparative findings: Comparative findings:

1)1) As well the Polish as the American Christian Right define As well the Polish as the American Christian Right define

the identity of the Occident in essentialist terms emphasizing the identity of the Occident in essentialist terms emphasizing

Christianity as the foundation of Western cultural, social and Christianity as the foundation of Western cultural, social and

political order. Neither the philosophical legacy of the political order. Neither the philosophical legacy of the

Enlightenment, nor the technological, economic or material Enlightenment, nor the technological, economic or material

achievements of modernity makes the Occident really achievements of modernity makes the Occident really

Occidental. Occidental.

Progressive ideologies may be seen as utopian, and de facto Progressive ideologies may be seen as utopian, and de facto

even “anti-Western”. even “anti-Western”.

Comparative findings: Comparative findings:

2)2) The conservative discourse is articulated as well by The conservative discourse is articulated as well by

politicians as by prominent scholars and journalists politicians as by prominent scholars and journalists

( = intellectual legitimacy ). ( = intellectual legitimacy ).

* Contrary to many countries of the Western Europe, for * Contrary to many countries of the Western Europe, for

example Sweden, many well-known scholars show directly example Sweden, many well-known scholars show directly

their support for Christian social conservative politics. their support for Christian social conservative politics.

Politcal Conservatism Politcal Conservatism andand Academic LegitimacyAcademic Legitimacy

prof. R. Legutko prof. P. Jaroszynskiprof. R. Legutko prof. P. Jaroszynski

prof. R. Benderprof. R. Bender prof. J. Bartyzel prof. J. Bartyzel

Political Conservatism Political Conservatism andand Academic LegitimacyAcademic Legitimacy

Ph.D. Thomas Fleming prof. Paul Gottfried

Prof. Alvin Plantinga Prof. Alvin Plantinga Ph.D. Diana Butler Bass

Comparative findings: Comparative findings:

3)3) In both cases = very good communication possibilities In both cases = very good communication possibilities

and strategies. The religious Right has its own, or is and strategies. The religious Right has its own, or is

associated with: universities, TV and radio stations, large associated with: universities, TV and radio stations, large

publishing offices and daily magazines. This is more publishing offices and daily magazines. This is more

visible in the US (larger number of Christian Right actors). visible in the US (larger number of Christian Right actors).

However, the number of journals and organizations is However, the number of journals and organizations is

relatively large in Poland as well; sometimes in a “soft relatively large in Poland as well; sometimes in a “soft

conflict” with the Bishops)conflict” with the Bishops)

Social conservatism in Poland – examples of Social conservatism in Poland – examples of organizations and mediaorganizations and media

Social conservatism in the US – examples of Social conservatism in the US – examples of organizations and media organizations and media

Comparative findings: Comparative findings:

4)4) In both cases, the modern Christian Right have historical In both cases, the modern Christian Right have historical

origins, particularly = the 1970’s. The huge difference is that origins, particularly = the 1970’s. The huge difference is that

Polish Christian activist worked underground until the fall of Polish Christian activist worked underground until the fall of

Communism. Communism.

* Even if (during the 1970’s and 1980’s) living in a non * Even if (during the 1970’s and 1980’s) living in a non

democratic and relatively poor society the Poles were democratic and relatively poor society the Poles were

however, similarly to the Americans, expressing criticism of however, similarly to the Americans, expressing criticism of

materialism and the consumerist way of life. materialism and the consumerist way of life.

Comparative findings: Comparative findings:

5)5) Even if Polish social conservatives are Catholics, there Even if Polish social conservatives are Catholics, there

were and continue to be important discursive transfers were and continue to be important discursive transfers

from and references to the American Right. The Polish from and references to the American Right. The Polish

actors seem often to be inspired by conservatism in the actors seem often to be inspired by conservatism in the

US. US.

* (Examples of translations, references and inter-textuality in * (Examples of translations, references and inter-textuality in

Bratniak, Polityka, Fronda, TV TRWAMBratniak, Polityka, Fronda, TV TRWAM))

Further comparative findings to be elaborated: Further comparative findings to be elaborated:

6)6) Foreign policy, e.g. in relation to Israel Foreign policy, e.g. in relation to Israel

7)7) Strong criticism of feminism and articulation of the Strong criticism of feminism and articulation of the

Christian traditionalist discourse by female scholars and Christian traditionalist discourse by female scholars and

politicianspoliticians

8)8) Inter-religious dialogue Inter-religious dialogue