Social orders are understood as dynamic constructs shaped by specific structures and practices. Current research projects concentrate on the actors of change and their actions, which have influenced political, economic, and social transformation processes. The research investigates how individuals and groups perceived and managed cultural diversity during times of upheaval. Special attention is given to processes of differentiation and the categorization of cultural and ethnic relations, which form the basis for mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion. Key thematic areas include urban life and self-images, processes of cultural boundary-making, knowledge transfer, dealing with cultural heritage, and the concepts of order among different groups.
Transformation of Order and Cultural Diversity
This research area focuses on the various transformations of order against the backdrop of Southeastern Europe’s cultural diversity. It examines political upheavals and epochal shifts such as regime changes, wars, revolutions, and reforms, along with their political, economic, and cultural contexts and effects. The primary spatial and temporal focus lies on the regions and countries of the former Yugoslavia in the 20th century.