London School of Economics. How Greek social reality change and why?

Transcription

1 9 March 2012 Workshop on Social Change: Theory and Applications (the case of Greek Society) Athanasia Chalari A.C. Laskaridis Post Doctoral Research Fellow Hellenic Observatory London School of Economics How Greek social reality change and why?

2 Research Questions When and how do societies change? Why do different societies change in different ways? How individuals respond to such changes? How do they contribute? From where does this change derive? Enigmatic: the power of individuals (or citizens) to contribute

3 Theoretical background Social change =relatively lasting transformations of social features, such as structures and institutions, norms, values, cultural products and symbols (Calhoun, 1992) Occurs gradually OR becomes the result of sudden/dramatic transformations of political, social and economic institutions, eg breakdown of Eastern Europe/Soviet Union (Pinquart and Silbereisen, 2004) Show to what degree there is any alteration (or not) of the underlying structure of the given (or any) society over a period of time How? apply the theory of social change and reflexivity which supports that society changes because of reflexivity

4 Theoretical background : Social Change and the Individual Social change effects social institutions as well as psychological development. The constrains for individuals are not stable (Pinquart and Silbereisen, 2004) The way individuals handle such changes depends on resources and opportunities whereas they are also constrained by them as well as by social transformations (Reiner et al, 2007: 76) Societal progress is related to agentic development (Silbereisen, 2005) Some people come to the age of work when there is no work, others when there are wars Such joining of a man s life with event, large and small, are his unique career, and give him many of his personal problems (Hughes, 1971: 124)

5 Theoretical background Reflexivity (Archer, 2007) = the ability of individuals to become critical towards themselves and society. Archer (2010): no reflexivity no society Giddens (2000), referring to reflexive modernity, even implies that individuals have the power to change the formation of social reality. Beck (1992) also includes the aspect of structural limitations. Agents (or citizens) are able to consider, critically evaluate and possibly respond to social expectations (or forms, structures, norms) (Chalari, 2009, Archer, 2007)

6 Reflexivity: Therefore, social agents are able to process and reflect upon social (or political, economic, historical) change, consider themselves in relation to such change and even produce a response to it (personally or collectively). Social agents are not merely passive receivers of such change, but instead, active contributors (Archer, 2010). How? in order to understand social change we should focus on how actors handle contradictions, how conscious they are of incompatibilities between institutions, what they do in order to maintain or change the contradictory status quo Mouzelis (2008: 99).

7 Theoretical Frame Does social change derives from reflexivity? How? By using the Greek case as a society which alters in real time due to economic, political and circumstantial reasons and examining whether Greeks (agents) contribute to this change by altering their own way of thinking and evaluating social reality.

8 Research -20 semi-structured in depth interviews taking place over August/September 2011 at Athens, Lesbos and Syros islands. -Participants: 8 M, 12F, age (5 from each subgroup), most from middle socio-economic class, with variation of educational background. -Most were employed and few were parents -All agreed to participate by signing the relevant consent form -Sampling: snowball & gatekeepers -Sample: non random = non generalisable study: exploratory -Analysis: thematic analysis based on the themes emerged out of responses -I shall try to utilise the findings whilst keeping in mind that the circumstances change rapidly

9 Frames of research Subjective experiences associated to: Present Everyday life Routine action vs reconsideration of routine action What would you change? How? Resistance?

10 Themes Uncertainty Disappointment Pessimism Insecurity Fear Anger Negativism Pressure Anxiety Depression Lack of trust Unnecessarily extensive consumption Negative influence of the Media PRESENT We see our dreams to get destroyed and our hopes for a better future to disappear (Emma, 27, Athens) The way Greeks live their lives has now changed; now things are worse (Amy, 38, Eresos) You can t understand exactly what is happening or what the government wants to do. I can t follow any more (Maria, 37, Athens) There is a need for these changes and we can all understand this, but some mentalities are embedded to our conscience and culture and this is why it is so difficult to make these changes (Christina, 36, Athens) The situation creates insecurity to everyone about the future (Mina, 45, Eresos)

11 Professionally there is a constant feeling of insecurity. Not to get fired, to be good in our job, to get along with small salaries (Emma, 27, Athens) I have started thinking things that I wouldn t have thought five years ago, like getting a job abroad (Kety, 26, Athens) Professionally, I don t know if I will have a job tomorrow and personally, I have no desire to do anything joyful anymore. There is so much insecurity about everything (Antonis, 29, Syros) Psychologically it influences me a lot. If you see a society that suffers and everyone in your environment to suffer you can t remain distant (Nicos, 35, Athens) Everyday life? Lazarus (1998): Social change transactional stress theory = Individual evaluates events as harmful, threatening, challenging but then, they consider ways of copying with the situation.

12 The way people are effected by social changes concerns the gradual alteration of their ways of thinking as well as their habits and routines. As people behave and think differently or as they resist to do so, they actually contribute to further social transformations (May, 2011: 374) The impact of social change upon individuals and social groups depends on social structure and therefore is not predetermined (Adams, 2007:139). Self is likely to be troubled by the experience if uncertainty and lack of control over events (Adams, 2007:13)

13 Routine action vs Reconsideration of routine action Volema Meso Rousfeti/Clientalism Ohadelfismos Polarization/ Confrontational culture Individualization Get By Luck of collective trust Corruption If you accept the ones who govern and vote for them again and again in order to ask for a rousfeti (Antonis, 29, Syros) Silent acceptance makes me responsible (Nicos, 35, Athens) Yes I have contributed but I was forced to do it because this is how the system works (Georgia, 38, Eresos) Most of us are volemenoi and we don t do anything (Petros, 30, Syros) I have trusted politicians I shouldn t have trusted (Elias, 44, Athens) All have contributed up to a certain extend (Melina, 32, Syros)

14 What would you change? How? I would destroy mass media and promote education (Eleni, 34, Athens) I would have liked patriots to govern this country (Melina, 32, Syros) I would change the mentality of Greeks (Grigoris, 34, Athens) I would first consider what changes I could make to myself and in relation to others (Ira, 38, Athens) I would make the people who are responsible to pay for what they have done (Theodoris, 44, Eresos) I would have changed our system of values and principles (Mina, 44, Eresos) I try to change my habits, my way of living (Giorgos, 41, Eresos) Trough any form of resistance (Elias, 44, Athens) To give an everyday example to my kids so that they will grow up according to certain principles (Theodoris, 44, Eresos) As an individual there are not much that I can do but as a mother I can do more (Georgia, 38) I can maintain my behavior in the social circle that I live in (Maria, 37, Athens) The most important thing is to be able to realize what is going on. And to be aware of your own personal responsibility. So just realizing that is a way of changing things (Christina, 36, Athens)

15 What it means? Participants do not perceive themselves as victims of the situation or as passive receivers of other peoples decisions They feel insecure, uncertain and they are afraid about the future There are repeated references to the impairment of the Greek state, the luck of justice, the need of punishment, the incomplete health and educational system At the same time though participants displayed a critical understanding of the current situation, of their contribution and responsibility The element of maturity is the one that emerges out of all interviews.

16 Resistance? I resist through participation at demonstrations and strikes and paying the price for that (Elias, 44, Athens) I fight for my personal freedom, people have to be free (Maro, 37, Athens) Resistance is if each of us will stop old mentalities (Georgia 38) To react to whatever could harm you and the people next to you (Amy, 38, Eresos) Greeks resist by being critical (Eleni, 34, Athens) Some resist in a political way, others socially and few internally (Nicos, 25, Athens) Resistance is about the fact that people won t accept passively or without criticism whatever they are told or forced to do (Kety, 26, Athens)

17 Conclusions A) Although disappointment and insecurity were main themes in all interviews no intention of violence emerged, rather the need of collective forms of peaceful resistance was evident (even though the situation in Greece alters rapidly). B) All responses entail the elements of maturity, realisation of responsibility and ability to produce critical thinking. C) The traditional way of responding (routine action) is not evident. To the contrary, participants carefully consider the current difficulties, they look for possible solutions and plan alternative options (confirmation-archer and May).

18 Conclusions D) In the answers of participants, priority is given to their personal every day life and their own concerns. Collective actions follow. E) Participants display disappointment and disapproval towards politicians. F) They do not exclude their personal contribution as part of the solution. G) Abandonment of the irresponsible mentality of ohaderfismos.

19 As society and the politico-economic circumstances alter, insecurity and fear about the future increases. From now on Greeks should constantly readjust to new developments and realise that this is how they shall live their lives from now on. Archer explains that the epoch of the New Millennium is characterised of the constant readjustment to new technologies, non-secured jobs, social and labour mobility and uncertainty about the future. Therefore, future from now on, shall not be predictable or stable and we thus need different tools to confront it. This is a new element compared to the past which supports the assumption that societies (along with the Greek society) change, that citizens should readjust to the new reality and that new generation will inevitably reform society towards that direction.