Conference offers insight into the encyclopaedia of Estonian transitional society

Authors of the twenty-year study “Me. The World. The Media” that was recently made into a book admit that Estonia is characterised by the ever deepening differentiation between population groups and the opposition between the accelerators and decelerators of social time. The findings of the comprehensive survey are more closely introduced at a conference in Tallinn on 18 April.

One of the main conclusions of the study reveals that due to the opposite forces, differentiation between societal groups in Estonia has intensified. It is pointed out that within the Estonian society, differentiation occurs in six dimensions – social stratification, generational dynamics, ethnic differentiation, differences in asynchrony, media consumption and types of social cohesion.

“Some people are willing to go along with changes, even force them. Another social current of an opposite direction, however, reflects the experience of those who have been harmed by change, or for whom change has caused too great tensions or losses. These people try to slow down or reverse changes, preserve structures or communities that stand against the main stream of changes,” explained Peeter Vihalemm, the editor of the book, professor emeritus of media studies of the University of Tartu.

The results of the survey will be introduced in more detail at the conference “Estonian society in an accelerating time” in Tallinn on 18 April. Besides Peeter Vihalemm, professors Marju Lauristin, Veronika Kalmus, Triin Vihalemm, Halliki Harro-Loit and other co-authors of the book speak at the conference. Visitors from Tallinn University, head of the Centre for Innovation in Education Mati Heidmets and professor of comparative politics Raivo Vetik debate with authors of the study.

The book compiled on the basis of the study gives a complete overview of the main results of the long-term research project dealing with changes in the Estonian society “Me. The World. The Media”. The analysis is based on the results of the representative sociological survey conducted in five waves (in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014). In addition to empirical material, the book provides an overview of the development of Estonian sociology and introduces several modern theoretical approaches to society.

More detailed schedule of the conference and further information can be found on the home page of UT Institute of Social Studies: http://bit.ly/2om3dfj

Additional information:
Peeter Vihalemm, professor emeritus of media studies, peeter.vihalemm@ut.ee
Taavi Rebane, communication specialist, t.rebane@ut.ee, 737 6355