Nikolaj Genov Knihy

The collective monograph contains the results of an empirical project conducted in Armenia and Georgia as well as in Moscow (as the favourite destination of migrants from the South Caucasus) from 2008 to 2010. The book is the first contribution to comparative research in the migration-intense post-Soviet space, and covers the complete cycle before, during and after migration. The survey focused on such relevant issues as national migration profiles including age and gender composition, «brain drain» and «brain waste», return potentials, remittances, child separation, migration perception, and personal experiences in Moscow and other destinations. As results the field studies confirm the international trend of feminization in migration and a high awareness of the ambivalent nature of migration among two cohorts of migrants from Armenia and Georgia in Moscow and six cohorts of returnees in the respective countries of origin.

Present-day ethnic relations challenge the notion of progressing assimilation of ethnic minorities, as neither traditional nor new minorities follow this trajectory. Factors such as modern transportation and communication, porous borders, and the global spread of cultural pluralism contribute to this shift. Democratic governance and constitutional human rights empower ethnic minorities to resist assimilation. Current ideas about minority integration or multiculturalism provide limited theoretical and practical guidance in this evolving context. Instead, we observe a movement towards interethnic integration, emphasizing the convergence of values, norms, and behaviors among ethnic groups. This approach promotes policies aimed at ensuring full economic, political, and social citizenship for all ethnic representatives. It advocates for respect for ethnic diversity and symbiosis, alongside efforts to institutionalize the mutual enrichment of cultures. Prof. Dr. sc. Nikolai Genov, a Professor of Sociology at the Free University in Berlin, specializes in social theory, social change, interethnic relations, and international migration. His recent publications include works on sociological knowledge, ethnicity in education and media in South Eastern Europe, and comparative research in the social sciences.

Im ersten Teil dieses Sammelbandes zu Ehren des Soziologen Helmut Steiner kommen Vertreter einer Wissenschaftlergeneration zu Wort, die den kognitiven Inhalt und die institutionelle Prägung der Sozialwissenschaften in der DDR maßgebend bestimmt hat. Ihre Beiträge über die Entwicklung Ostdeutschlands und die deutsche Vereinigung liefern lebendiges Anschauungsmaterial für das äußert komplexe Verhältnis zwischen Sozialwissenschaften und Politik. Die in weiteren Beiträgen exemplarisch behandelte Umwälzung sozialer Strukturen in Osteuropa gibt dieser Diskussion ihr spezifisches Profil. So erweist sich gerade das als Innovationsmotor geltende Wissenschaftssystem oft als pfadabhängig und innovationshemmend. Andererseits könnten die politischen Institutionen die sozialen Veränderungen sehr effektiv und positiv beeinflussen – aber auch das ist, wie einige Beiträge des letzten Teils zeigen, in der jüngeren Sozialgeschichte nicht immer der Fall. In der Wechselwirkung von Institutionen nimmt das Handeln nationaler Eliten für die einzelnen Gesellschaften eine Schlüsselstellung ein. Der Erfolg ihres Handelns ist von zunehmend widersprüchlichen lokalen, supranationalen und globalen Faktoren abhängig.

Not the mass media, but other powerful domestic and international factors provoked the ethnic conflicts in South Eastern Europe and determined the paths and mechanisms of their settlement. Nevertheless, it is a proven fact that on various occasions the use of guns was well prepared by hate speech used by the mass media in their coverage of interethnic relations. And vice versa, the efforts to find solutions for interethnic tensions and conflicts have been often facilitated by the moderate or neutral coverage of events by the mass media. Nikolai Genov is professor of sociology at the Free University in Berlin (Germany).

The crosscutting area of interethnic relations and educational policies is the locus of most intriguing scientific and practical issues in South Eastern Europe. They concern economic, political and cultural dimensions of social action and social order, touch upon sensitive relationships between individual and collective human rights and imply integration or disintegration of societal systems.

Die Soziologie braucht intellektuelle Innovationen, um mit dem beschleunigten sozialen Wandel Schritt zu halten. Globale Trends fordern neue Visionen für soziales Handeln und für die soziale Ordnung. Die neuen Formen der Regionalisierung und die spezifischen Entwicklungspfade von Gesellschaften verlangen ein sorgfältiges Abwägen der Wechselwirkung zwischen lokalen, regionalen und globalen Prozessen. Die sich vertiefenden sozialen Differenzen und die Bemühungen, soziale Strukturen neu zu integrieren, fördern und erschweren zugleich vergleichende Analysen. Die wachsende Komplexität von Netzwerken interagierender Individuen, Gruppen, Organisationen und Gesellschaften erfordert inter- und transdisziplinäre Studien. Sie müssen sich der Erwartung stellen, dass soziologische Forschung politische Orientierung ermöglicht und dadurch praktische Relevanz erhält. Der Sammelband bietet Reflexion zu dieser dynamischen Problemsituation. Die Gruppe von Autoren ist repräsentativ für den gegenwärtigen Stand der internationalen Soziologie.

Sociologists at the turn of the century face significant challenges as they strive to keep pace with rapid social change. The need for conceptual breakthroughs is critical, as global trends demand new visions for social action and order. The evolving patterns of regionalization and distinct developmental trajectories of societies require a nuanced understanding of the interplay between local, regional, and global processes. As social disparities deepen and efforts to reintegrate social structures intensify, comparative research becomes essential. The increasing complexity of networks among individuals, groups, organizations, and societies necessitates interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary studies, which must address the expectations for policy relevance and practical applications of sociological research. Additionally, the rise of sustainable development ideas places pressure on sociology to forge stronger connections between nature, technology, and its conceptual frameworks while enhancing their normative dimensions. However, the international sociological community struggles to meet these complex demands. Often, narratives overshadow analysis in sociological discourse, and discussions on pressing social issues have become self-satisfying, drawing more from classical theories than from contemporary challenges. Empirical studies frequently lack meaningful connections to sociological concepts or practical solutions.