Ашық рұқсат
Рұқсат берілді
Тек жазылушылар үшін
№ 1 (2023)
Social philosophy
Postmodernism: philosophical paradigm or sociological explanatory scheme?
Аннотация
The question of the scientific status of the postmodernism concept is relevant because of the fact that scientists appeal to it without reflecting on the boundaries and possibilities of its use. At the same time, the relevant use of the provisions of this concept requires an analysis of the problems that have become an incentive for its appearance, as well as of the structure of social environments whose consciousness corresponds to the conceptual foundations of postmodernism. For these environments, postmodernism is a relevant philosophical paradigm. It is shown that the total problematization of the moral foundations of social life, carried out by postmodernists, significantly limits the amount of social environments for which postmodernism is able to act as a relevant sociological explanatory scheme. These boundaries of relevance are significant for social environments that are not ready to problematize the moral foundations of their individual and social lives.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):7-19
7-19
The concept of ressentiment and modernity: in search of elusive comparator
Аннотация
This article examines the transformation of the ressentment concept in political struggle. Originally, the concept of ressentiment emerged from right-wing ideological positions and was used to «expose» the supposedly «true» background of the actions and ideologies of left-wing and progressive forces. However, over time leftists and liberals also adopted it. They started finding in their opponents almost all the same features that the right accused them of having. The reasons that made this reversal possible are analyzed. The attention is drawn to the reference to normativity, normality, exemplarity, a certain natural order from both right-wing classics of the concept of ressentiment (F. Nietzsche and M. Scheler). The example of this normativity, the fictitious Nietzschean-Schlerian aristocrat, serves in the basic concept of ressentiment as an example of «master» and an object of comparison, a comparator. In modern societies, however, there is no such universally recognized superior social subject. Various political forces and social groups qualify for his place. Thus, all adversaries get the opportunity to accuse each other of ressentiment, and the right-wing monopoly on the use of this concept is overtaken.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):20-33
20-33
Articles
Swinging pendulum: a model or metaphor for change in policy on nationalities in multi-composite states? the case of USSR and post-soviet Russia
Аннотация
Nationalities’ policy in multi-composite states is often characterized by its fluctuance and even inconsistency. It is essential to study the said characteristics to understand the general patterns of ethnopolitics. The underlying reasons for significant fluctuations in Soviet and Russian nationalities’ policy are analyzed. The concepts of “ethnopolitical pendulum” and “pendulum of nationalities’ policy” are critically assessed. Most attention is paid to the issue of the Soviet leadership’s real and perceived inconsistency in following such key principles of nationalities’ policy in the USSR as the right of nations to self-determination, federalism, and the rights of ethnic minorities. Based on this analysis, the following conclusions are made. First, the changes in Soviet nationalities’ policy were caused by shifting current political concerns, which often demanded correcting or overruling ideological principles. Second, the pattern of a pendulum is more of a metaphor than an explanatory model for analyzing fluctuations in this field. Finally, the Soviet experience remains understudied in modern Russian nationalities’ policy, which has a high probability of ethnic and confessional mobilization.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):34-52
34-52
The state and environmental challenges: views and approaches in Latin America
Аннотация
The article examines the approaches of Latin American states in the face of environmental challenges. In particular, the topic of environmental issues’ influence on the political process of thе region is studied. This process can be interpreted not only as a demonstration of local «core-periphery» relations in Latin American states, but also as part of a general trend in postcolonial studies. The theories of development and postdevelopment, as well as local alternative models that have manifested themselves in the socio-political discourse of the Andean countries, are analyzed. Certain elements of their experience can be applied throughout the region, as well as contribute to the development of regional instruments for the protection of environmental rights, and therefore become an incentive for further implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):53-67
53-67
The unsolved issue of arms control: anti-missile dilemma
Аннотация
The issue of missile defense (ABM) remains one of the key topics of the discussion on arms control at the present stage. Without its eventual forthcoming solution, it is impossible to further advance towards reducing the military threat on a global scale, and mutual reduction of the nuclear weapons capabilities of Russia and the United States, Russia and NATO, as well as to strengthen global strategic stability overall. At the same time, this issue is a serious irritant in Russia’s relations with its Western counterparts, and, above all, with the NATO military-political alliance led by the United States. Consequently, finding mutually acceptable solutions in this area would help restore trust between Russia and her counterparts and create prerequisites for moving towards a safer and more stable world. А number of tangible priority steps are suggested. Those measures might create certain ways out of the current negotiating impasse over the missile defense issue and help adopt pragmatic measures that would not violate the national security of any states. This process might take place in case of normalization of relations between Moscow and Washington.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):68-82
68-82
The policy of Germany in military sphere: drift from the concept of “strategic restraint”?
Аннотация
As the key aggressor in World War II, Germany has to indefinitely comply with a set of stern restrictions considering the development and use of the national military potential. FRG’s attitude towards the principle until the early 2020s is studied. Key attention is paid to the cases where Germany abandoned the restrictions which had been limiting the realization of its ambitions as a world power. “Russian (Soviet) threat” has become the main pretext (but not the reason) for FRG’s remilitarization. However, in such cases Germany has ignored its own historic responsibility to the USSR and the Russian Federation. The framework conditions of the Bundeswehr development, outlined by Konrad Adenauer, are considered. The direction of the remilitarization (since the end of 2010s), as well as the features of Bundeswehr usage inside and outside the NATO zone of responsibility, are studied. It is concluded that the majority of these measures show the drift away from the “strategic restraint” concept.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):83-100
83-100
The influence of political power on models of industrial organization: institutional approach
Аннотация
The choice of industrial organization mechanisms always takes place in the context of approaches to economic regulation set by the political elite. In times of large-scale political upheavals which are taking place in 2022, economists are more and more concerned with this context, but operational tools that would allow it to take into account when analyzing the mechanisms of governance have not yet been found. This article is developing such tools from the perspective of the New Institutional Economics: combination of the “social orders” concept developed by D. North, J. Wallis, B. Weingast and the “mechanisms of governance” by O. Williamson. It is concluded that taking into account only the transaction costs minimizing principle while choosing the mechanism of governance excludes an important factor: the opportunism of politicians, which are often directly involved in the establishment of governance mechanisms.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):101-120
101-120
The level of demand for higher education in Germany
Аннотация
The article studies the formation, current state and features of the system of Germanys’ higher education at the present stage. The advantages of obtaining higher education in German universities are defined. The level of demand for higher education of various levels among the population is estimated. The data of the Federal Statistical Office of Germany on the number and types of higher education institutions, on the number of students of higher educational institutions and their distribution by subject groups for the winter semesters 2019/2020-2021/2022 is presented and analyzed, as well as the data on the number of first-year students of German universities by state in winter semesters 2020/2021-2021/2022. The data on the competitiveness of graduates of higher educational institutions in the German labor market is studied. The average initial annual salary of university graduates is estimated depending on the field of training and the qualifications received. The conclusion is made about the high level of demand for higher education among the German population, as well as about competitive advantages people with higher education have in the labor market.
Obŝestvennye nauki i sovremennostʹ. 2023;(1):121-136
121-136