Changing Paradigms

The development of the ethnological sciences in Southeast Europe, that is, of ethnology, ethnography, folklore, and cultural or social anthropology, has been dealt with extensively - from a historical distance - for the period before 1990; for most Balkan countries this was the period of socialism. This volume unites analyses of the ensuing development of the ethnological sciences in rapidly transforming Southeast Europe by scholars involved in the turbulent processes of modernizing change. Their insightful and engaged contributions show, that these changes were indeed changes of basic paradigms, transforming the past-oriented and often ideologically biassed or exploited disciplines into modern, reflexive, and critical ones focussing on socio-cultural aspects of Balkan societies. Apart from its portrayal of the present state of the ethnological disciplines, this volume also offers a comprehensive list of all ethnological institutions, associations, and journals in Southeast Europe. It thus helps to promote the scholarly exchange and cooperation between all those interested in Balkan societies and cultures.