engleski

Social Integration in the Post-conflict Social Integration in the Post-conflict Situations: Nationalism and Regionalism in the Croatian Regions

The first, theoretical part of the paper concerns the problem of conceptualization of social integration. In the sociological tradition one may distinguish between two main lines of theoretical explanation: the functionalist and the relational one. Contemporary sociological theory has attempted at overcoming the opposed standpoints. Theoretically more elaborated synthesis of the opposed classical approaches one may find in the works of D. Lockwood, J. Habermas, A. Giddens, N. Mouzelis. Taking into account these efforts, the hypothesis that considers both dimensions of integration in post-conflict situations would be an imperative. The second part of the paper contains the analyses of the integrative potentials of nationalism and regionalism in the post-conflict situations. One of the key assumptions of the paper is that nationalism and regionalism, apart from their political and functional characteristics, need to be understood as specific cultural identities on which a community is based. Interaction between nationalism and regionalism is analyzed within Western European tradition, from where both identities historically originate. Search for collective identities after the fall of the Berlin Wall has revived both of these concepts in transitional societies. They often function as contracting political patterns, but also as significantly different life style models and values. Moreover, the acceleration of the integration processes within the framework of the European Union opens up new questions related to national and regional identities through the concept of Euro regionalism". The third part of the paper presents results of empirical research conducted from 2003 to 2005 in two Croatian regions (Lika and Istria).The main findings are likely to confirm the hypothesis of the more viable social (re)integration in the areas of “ stronger“ regional identity compared with the areas of national identity domination. The final part of the paper combines differences and similarities between the culture of nationalism and the culture of regionalism, especially when taking into account their capacities of inducement and pacification of ethnic and cultural conflicts.

Social integration; Nationalism; Regionalism; Collective identities; Ethnic distance

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