Cultural Theory: Kosmopolis, Cultural Technologies & Cultural Public Spheres

Research leader: Charlotte Bydler

Post-doctoral fellows: Anna Storm, Kristian Petrov and Anders Nordström.

The situation around the Baltic Sea and in Eastern Europe is often considered in a narrow  perspective when it comes to research: the questions revolve around transformations from a Soviet society and their consequences. Since the dissolution of the Soviet empire, the theory formation on this area has boomed. It is however developed in a Western European and Western context and has been strongly affected by the Social sciences. If these theories are supplemented by hermeneutical theory formation and applied to a new area, like the Baltic area and Eastern Europe, the current theory will be challenged and will thereby assume a new exciting development, not the least within the political philosophy and its central concepts.

The theoretical foundation for the research theme is to be found in critical theory, phenomenology, hermeneutics and deconstruction. The theme will supplement the research firstly by observing the transference of theory from the west to the east. With a new theoretical perspective, a deeper understanding for specific conditions occurs. Secondly, the theme strives to extend the time perspective.  A contemporary platform is crucial, but contemporality sometimes becomes clearer with a broader perspective. The areas around the Baltic Sea and Eastern Europe have experienced radical changes also during earlier periods. The Baltic area has been not only been subjected to Soviet dominance, but also for example Russian, German, Prussian, Hanseatic and Swedish. Eastern Europe has in a similar way been dominated by Roman, Ottoman, Habsburgian and German interests, to name a few. The understanding of Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Europe is not static but could rather be described as a process. A broader time perspective on the development within the research area of CBEES leads to the concepts being opened and to additional research tasks being distinguished as important.

A central field is the theory formation revolving the cosmopolitical, which is reflected in the thoughts revolving the political. The cosmopolitan is aiming for an understanding for the centre and the periphery being ever-changing, not the least through the effects of globalization and the regionalization growing in its footsteps. The construction and the medialization of identities in border districts is also a salient feature in the theme's projects.

The overall objective of the theme is to initiate and develop new research, to strengthen the collaboration between researchers and doctoral students connected to Södertörn University, and to strengthen international and national research networks with relevance for the theme. Theme activities such as workshops, conferences, visiting researchers and visiting professors as well as post-docs have resulted in a significant number of new research projects and scientific publications.

 

Contact:

Charlotte Bydler, charlotte.bydler@sh.se