Papers by Pero Maldini
The article deals with the issue of political participation in the network society. It examines h... more The article deals with the issue of political participation in the network society. It examines how new forms of public communication enabled by ICT mediated communication (especially new media), as well as virtual socialization and the resulting new social structures (especially social networks), affect political participation, particularly citizens' influence on the government and the political decision-making processes. An analysis of these relationships shows that the changes brought by ICT, in both the social structure and the area of public communication equally, and the expansion of space of political freedom and political communication, do not increase political participation by themselves. It is determined primarily by technological requirements, and then by sociostructural and sociocultural factors, as endogenous properties of certain societies that substantially determine their overall social and political dynamics. In that sense, the level of development of the virtual sphere, the numbers and diversity of social networks and new media, cannot by themselves be considered to be independent variables, nor can they be considered outside of the specific social context. This is particularly noticeable in transitional societies in which specific (undeveloped) sociostructural and sociocultural factors are the key obstacle to the development of political participation, and hence democracy.
The article deals with the concept of community organizing. The concept is first explained from t... more The article deals with the concept of community organizing. The concept is first explained from the theoretical point of view, in terms of political (civil) participation as a key prerequisite of substantive democracy and in context of its crisis, both in old democracies and post-communist societies. Later it is considered as practice in its birthplace, in the American context, where community organizing is remarkably popular and effective. Subsequently, the article is focusing on research the possibility of using this concept in post-communist context, especially in the Slovak society. It shows that the lack of structural base (vibrant civil society in particular) and political legacy of authoritarianism are the main inhibitory factors in the development of civic political culture, which is the key sociocultural prerequisite of political participation, and consequently of community organizing.
This paper discusses the key political, anthropological and socio-cultural functions of political... more This paper discusses the key political, anthropological and socio-cultural functions of political myths in the appearance and functioning of totalitarian regimes. A special emphasis is put on structural elements of the myth (mythemes) and the mythic content (narratives) in the processes of artificial construction of a new society (community) based on the myth-inspired ideological postulates. The paper argues that the establishment of totalitarianism marked a certain anthropological devolution. This devolution, in turn, proceeds through the deconstruction of civil society as an organic social sphere and the artificial construction of a new political community based on ideological postulates and political myths. In support of this assertion, it is first shown how the mythical narratives -transformed into political concepts and programs-were the basis of (re)interpretation of the world, society and individual, and essentially determined the nature and functioning of the totalitarian regimes. Then, the specific political myths are analyzed and compared, as well as their content and origin, and particularly their dual function. It in turn is analyzed in the framework of the classical society-community dichotomy, where the (civil) society is founded socio-politically on the social contract, and the (political) community socio-anthropologically on political myth. In a situation of identity and legitimacy crisis, anomie and the weakening of social cohesion -the characteristic conditions of the great economic and political crisis of the early twentieth century that enabled the emergence of totalitarianism -society as a contracting community does not work. A strong need for meaning (at the individual and societal level) affects the citizens' susceptibility to (political) concepts of (re)constitution of (political) community with which they can identify. Right there, totalitarian movements use the cohesive power of the political myth that replaces the rationally based constitution of society, and becomes a means of ideological mystification and political manipulation. Affecting the mind of the citizens, it moves their feelings and motivations and directs their behavior toward the goals of the totalitarian political power. Recent iterations of totalitarianism (Great-Serbian aggression), with the same tragic consequences, were a warning on the actuality of political myths and the danger of a resurgence of totalitarian tendencies.
Studia Politica Slovaca (6) 2013/2: 5-23
Under the increasing impact of globalization, classic forms of political community are transforme... more Under the increasing impact of globalization, classic forms of political community are transformed and position of the nation-state is amended. It is visible through the objectively reduced (divided) and substantially different form of sovereignty, through the forming of new political identity and legitimacy, and through new relationships on an international level (a "new world order"). On the one hand, the political decision-making processes, guidance and control over the national economies are no longer the exclusive right of nation-states. On the other, the growth of new forms of civic organization expands political participation and civil society action outside the nation-state, and vice versa. Changes caused by globalization transform well known forms of democracy and its political perspective (e.g. cosmopolitan democracy as a more participative democracy at the local level as an addition to political relationships within the global order). However, the creation of a global democracy includes problems of political identity, constitution of political community, legitimacy, constitution of government and making of collectively binding decisions as well as commitments to be subjected to them. Therefore it is not possible to think sovereignty to be in decline or even questionable, but only that it has to be redefined in terms of its enhancement, i.e. its adjustment to new social and political conditions that are in many aspects defined at the level beyond the nation-state. Hence, this study advocates a dynamic approach and reconceptualization of these concepts by avoiding pervasive use of simplified dichotomies in explanations of their relationship, and proposes its functional understanding in terms of its efficiency, i.e. as dependent on system's output and state capacity. An effective system and capacity of the state to regulate society, distribute common goods, and have an efficient institutional structure capable of realizing it -are crucial both to sustain an adequate level of nation-state sovereignty in the globalized world and support a stable democracy, which, if it is substantive, has the political mechanisms to maintain a balance between national interests and global impacts.
Contemporary Issues (5) 2012/1: 6-20
Nationalism has marked the democratic transition of many post-communist societies, including Croa... more Nationalism has marked the democratic transition of many post-communist societies, including Croatia. It showed its liberal character by fostering democratic change and achieving national independence, but it also manifested itself as exclusive ethnocentrism, which considerably slowed down the democratization process and imposed itself as its main characteristic. The author challenges the view that ethnocentrism as inherent characteristic of the so-called Eastern (ethnic) nations, which are consequently undemocratic and prone to ethnic conflicts, while the liberal character is attributed as inherent to nationalism of Western (civic) nations. Besides the explanation of various aspects of nationalism in Croatia, the author draws attention to its primary structural and contextual conditionality, particularly highlighting the framework of political unfreedom and limited modernization during the communist period and specific conditions of democratic transition characterized by process of nation-state establishment and the war of independence. Here nationalism appears as an expression of patriotism and political identification, but also as a response to social, political and value discontinuity and particularly as reaction to external aggression. The author denies its inherency, since it is not some "innate" cultural trait, but a social phenomenon that is dominantly caused by the social and political context. Nationalism in the period of democratic transition in Croatia, despite its undoubtedly ethnocentric manifestations, in essence still was liberal. After the war and renewed processes of democratization there was a significant decline of ethnocentrism and strengthening of liberal features of nationalism.
Collegium Antropologicum, (37) 2012/2: 569–582
Unlike all other autocracies, authoritarian regimes are, as the ultimate form of authoritarianism... more Unlike all other autocracies, authoritarian regimes are, as the ultimate form of authoritarianism, a distinct phenomenon of the modern era. Caused by the crisis of liberal democracy and industrial capitalism of the early twentieth century, and led by radical populist political movements/parties and their leaders, they established themselves as the regimes which marked one of the greatest degrees of unfreedom. The article analyzes the specific sociostructural, sociocultural and sociopsychological aspects of the formation of totalitarian regimes (particularly communism), as well as their political system, ideological foundations and modus operandi. In doing so, it particularly emphasizes the dissolution of civil society and its substitution by a political society as a key structural determinant, authoritarianism and fear as a sociopsychological basis, and repression as the functional basis of operation for totalitarian regimes. In that context, it analyzes the political, anthropological and visual aspects of the symbols of totalitarian regimes, their archetypal (mythological, religious, ethnic, cultural, historical) meaning, and explains their function (political, anthropological, sociocultural, and sociopsychological) in the development and preservation of totalitarian regimes. Using the example of the hammer and sickle, a typical symbol of communism, it shows a substantial and communicational (particularly visual) dimension of symbol, by breakdown by the elements of semiotics (signum, designatum, interpretant) and its sub-disciplines (semantics, pragmatics, sintactics). On this basis, it tries to show the decisive power of political symbols over the political perceptions and political behavior of individuals and entire social groups, i.e. their manipulative power by meanings assigned to them by totalitarian authorities and forms of their communication, with the goal of preserving the totalitarian regime.
Anali Hrvatskog politoloskog drustva (9) 2012/1: 385-409
This article tries to examine the major aspects of current trends that impact higher education po... more This article tries to examine the major aspects of current trends that impact higher education policies in ongoing processes of universities' restructuring, particularly higher education system transformation in Europe (Bologna process), with an emphasis on postcommunist societies. Globalization, internalization and marketization are identified as main exogenous factors, while massification, national specificities (political and cultural), educational legacies, and local government capabilities are the most significant endogenous factors that determine reforms of higher education systems. The author examines the trends of universities' restructuring under conditions of change of traditional relations between them and the social environment, particularly the state. They are characterized by diminishing of the key role of the nation-state in current social and economic development, as well as gradual decomposition of the welfare state and reduction of its core functions, including a significantly reduced support to higher education. Both processes push policy makers toward market-led policies on higher education, which causes problems, whether of higher education sustainability, or quality and competitiveness, or accessibility and equity. The author argues that the exogenous factors largely impact (or directly create) trends that affect changes in higher education systems, particularly in the universities' role and mission, while the endogenous factors are mainly responsible for the success of reforms in certain societies.
Politicko obrazovanje (2) 2006/1-2: 15-42;
Izvorni znanstveni rad SUMMARY Paper deals with three main aspects of a new course implementation... more Izvorni znanstveni rad SUMMARY Paper deals with three main aspects of a new course implementation within new study of public communication and with impact of new lecturing methodology in university teaching. Educational aspect refers to the content of Political Culture course as a certain knowledge that enables understanding, recognizing and analyzing socio-cultural origins of political phenomena (particularly those related to democratization process) as well as a significant part of civic education. Methodological aspect refers to the practical implementation of Scholarship of teaching and learning through the Course Portfolio as an interactive and reflective form of teaching and learning performance. It represents the intellectual integrity of teaching and learning on a very distinctive way. By capturing and analyzing coherence among design, implementation and outcomes through research and reflective relationship through communication, it allows permanent improving of lecturing and learning process and reaching a professional excellence. Informational aspect refers to the knowledge sharing and information exchange (with students, peers in the discipline and public interested in a subject) through the interactive web site. Putting Course Portfolio on the web means a new way of communication. Through the web faculty can make their teaching/learning experience publicly accessible, share and exchange it and get a much wider feedback necessary for their work evaluation and improvement.
Book Chapters by Pero Maldini
This chapter examines how and to what extent process of accession to the EU has contributed to th... more This chapter examines how and to what extent process of accession to the EU has contributed to the democratization of Croatian society and how the Croatian membership will affect its social development. It analyzes the relationship of the prerequisites for the full membership in the EU and the prerequisites of a consolidated (substantive) democracy. The discussion is on whether the accession means the completion of the democratization process, i.e. whether the process of the EU enlargement is merely a formal normative-institutional (political, economic, legal, and administrative) compliance of the new members, or whether it also possesses a significant qualitative (modernization) dimension, especially regarding the development of the substantive democracy. Consolidated and functional democracy, besides the formal political prerequisites, also includes the indispensable socio-structural and socio- cultural prerequisites (a vibrant civil society, civic culture, political participation, and a developed public sphere that functions as a mechanism of constraint and control of the government). The relative underdevelopment of these preconditions, combined with the lack of appropriate conceptions and strategies of the government, may consequently act dysfunctional in relation to the active position of Croatia in its new surroundings, and consequently on its proportionally smaller benefit from joining the EU. Croatian accession to the EU, instead of being an instrument (strategy) for the realization of national interests, has become the main goal of its (foreign) policy. The lack of clearly defined national interests and a coherent development conception results in an insufficient institutional capacity and the unpreparedness of Croatia for purposeful use of EU's development resources. The main task of the Croatian government is therefore articulation of these key aspects in order to consolidate democracy and further social development.
Today, when Croatia already became a member of the EU, there is a variety of issues that have to ... more Today, when Croatia already became a member of the EU, there is a variety of issues that have to be considered in the context of what Croatian accession to EU means to the EU and vice versa, i.e. what and how EU and Croatia contribute to each other. In this sense, this book tries to discuss various aspects of this relationship, particularly those of impact of accession process on democratization of Croatian society and the state, considering very specific conditions of Croatian transition and the state-building processes. That impact, however, is neither unambiguous nor linear. During the long and arduous period of transition, Croatia had to meet significantly higher criteria than previous states with suspicion and concerns among existing members about further enlargement increasing. Meanwhile initially strong public support in Croatia declined as inconsistencies in EU policy, entry criteria and problems caused by the economic crisis all combined with fears about the loss of national identity and the ability to realize national interests. The successful Croatian accession to the EU in 2013 shows that, despite concerns on both sides, the EU continues to have meaning and significance and that membership remains highly desirable. The intention of this book, therefore, is to present selected aspects related to this topic through nine different, but mutually interrelated chapters. The joining of Croatia, especially at a delicate moment for European integrations, marked by crises, in this sense, is very instructive.
Flows of cultural changes in nowdays are rapidly accelerated because of the globalization process... more Flows of cultural changes in nowdays are rapidly accelerated because of the globalization processes and their impact, even on the level of common people's life. It is achieved through the development of technologies, emergence of global communication network and exchange of huge amounts of information. That way, cultural elements are mingling, causing shift in culture patterns of certain societies. Through the internalizing of these patterns, national cultures in a way becoming global. Process also goes vice versa, but main course is from developed to underdeveloped, from west to the rest. Beside the specific national and local conditions, these circumstances are framing the context of contemporary political processes in democratizing world. Transitions from authoritarian rule and construction of democracy are under strong impact of these processes. In one hand, that impact comes from outside, i.e. changes are influenced by political and economic pressure of institutions of global governance and neoliberal global market economy. But in other hand, impact comes from inside, particularly from the new political awareness created through the cultural shift. It is about a kind of reflexive modernization and political learning process, which are fostering civic culture and accelerating democratic changes. Later impact is much more important for democratic perspective of those societies, and this article aims to analyze the way in which it takes place.
Van Dijk, Jan A.G.M./Jožanc, N. (eds.), 2011: Information Society and Globalization: Transformation of Politics, Zagreb: CPI, pp. 45-80
The author examines how new modes of communication, provided by new information and communication... more The author examines how new modes of communication, provided by new information and communications technologies, are transforming the political systems of contemporary societies. This includes identifying the main characteristics of a new communication paradigm and ies, particularly the changes in civil society, participation and social capital. The author then turns to exploring the changes at three levels of a political system: the "input" stage, the "output" stage, and the stage of political (decision making) process. Finally, the author discuses some global implications of the new modes of communication and considers the nature of its relationship with global democracy building processes.
Petranová, D./Magál, S./Pravdová, H. (eds.), 2012: Megatrendy a médiá: Demokracia verzus mediokracia, Trnava: FMK/UCM, pp. 226-246
eds.), Megatrendy a médiá 2012: Demokracia verzus mediokracia, Fakulta masmediálnej komunikácie/U... more eds.), Megatrendy a médiá 2012: Demokracia verzus mediokracia, Fakulta masmediálnej komunikácie/Univerzita Sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Trnave, (Slovakia): pp. 226-246.
Milardovic, A./ Paukovic, D./ Vidovic, D. (eds.), 2008: Globalization of Politics, Zagreb: CPI, pp. 193-217
Globalization is a broad concept and a complex social phenomenon which is very difficult to deter... more Globalization is a broad concept and a complex social phenomenon which is very difficult to determine precisely. However, it might be said that it is primarily a process of economic, and then of a general connectivity of various societies and states, by which, historically, a new type of their multifold mutual interconnections and interferences is established. Although it is originally an economic concept (global economy, world market, economic integrations, international relations, etc), globalization should be understood primarily as a direct or indirect influence (not only economic, but also cultural, political and social) of the most powerful world societies on all of the others. Therefore, globalization implies the spreading and interpolation of the same or similar social structures, forms, values and norms into other social areas. That also implies mutual influence and mixture of elements of different cultures. That influence and mixture don"t go one way, (although there is dominance of the developed societies over undeveloped ones).
Maldini, P./ Vidovic, D. (eds.), 2007: Transition in Central and Eastern European Countries: Experiences and future perspectives, Zagreb: CPI, pp. 7-15
Maldini, P./ Vidovic, D. (eds.), 2007: Transition in Central and Eastern European Countries: Experiences and future perspectives, Zagreb: CPI, pp. 63-76
Books by Pero Maldini
Framing the Nation and Collective Identities, 2019
This book analyzes top-down and bottom-up strategies of framing the nation and collective identit... more This book analyzes top-down and bottom-up strategies of framing the nation and collective identities through commemorative practices relating to events from the Second World War and the 1990s "Homeland War" in Croatia. With attention to media representations of commemorative events and opinion poll data, it draws on interviews and participant observation at commemorative events to focus on the speeches of political elites, together with the speeches of opposition politicians and other social actors (such as the Catholic Church, anti-fascist organizations and war veterans' and victims' organizations) who challenge official narratives. Offering innovative approaches to researching and analyzing commemorative practices in post-conflict societies, this examination of a nation's transition from a Yugoslav republic to an independent state-and now the newest member of the European Union-constitutes a unique case study for scholars of cultural memory and identity politics interested in the production and representation of national identities in official narratives.
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Papers by Pero Maldini
Book Chapters by Pero Maldini
Books by Pero Maldini