SOCIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND THE PUBLIC GOOD

The  common  good  is  primarily  a  moral  and  political  concept,  dating  back  to  ancient philosophy.  Various  social  sciences  think  about  the  possibilities  of  its  existence  and extension  in  diverse  ways.  Sociology  examines  the  public  good  and  community  goods primarily  in  terms  of  social  consultation  and  action,  and  their  individual  and  structural effects at micro and macro levels. While the question of the common good is tacitly present in  area-specific  sociological  research  on  a  wide  variety  of  subjects,  with  the  exception  of critical theories it rarely becomes explicitly addressed. However, in transitional times like the present one, it seems worthwhile to change this and to collectively reflect on the issue of the common good in connection with various social phenomena.

The crisis of liberal democracies, the devaluation of previously seemingly consensual values (such  as  social  equality)  or  their  infringement  without  consequences,  and  the transformations  of  political  culture  (passivity,  radicalization,  populism)  all  invite  us  to examine the transformation of community thinking with regards to the public good. Experts in social  and  community  work  draw  attention  to  the  restructuring  of  the  common  good, pointing out that while the state  is reducing its social capacities, its role is increasingly being taken over by civilians and self-organizing groups. The reinterpretation of the common good is influenced by a number of ideologies, organizational and community practices, from social movements to religious groups to the public. Understanding the global and local dynamics of such processes also constitutes an important task for sociology.

The  aim  of  the  conference  is  to  focus  on  these  social  processes  and  understand  them through quantitative surveys and qualitative case studies, and to reflect on the theoretical and methodological tools with which sociology can respond to these challenges.

All  sociologists,  social  researchers  and  PhD  students  dealing  with  the  above  topic  are welcome to attend the conference. Hungarian Sociological Association (MSZT) membership is not a condition for applying to present at the conference (but will affect the participation fee). The language of the conference is primarily Hungarian, but we also welcome lectures, sections and panel discussions held in English.

You  can  apply  for  the  conference  with  section  plans,  plans for  semi-plenary  panel discussions,  and  individual presentations.  (There  will  be  3  short,  interrelated  lectures  in  the  semi-plenary panel, followed by a moderated discussion). The application is done in two rounds. First, we expect section plans and panel discussion plans, which will be reviewed by April 10, 2022. The call for individual abstracts) will be sent out in April and remain open through May, after publication of the final section schedule.

We are planning to hold the conference in person!

Important dates

• Submission of section and panel plans: March 15, 2022
• Decision on sections and panels: April 10, 2022
• Call for submission of individual presentations: April 20, 2022
• Deadline for abstract submission: May 31, 2022
• Decision on individual abstracts: June 30, 2022
• Final conference program published: August 31, 2022

1. Invitation to sections and panel discussions:

The  section  plan  should include  the  title  and  topic  of  the  section  (250-500  words  without references), the language of the section, and the name of the chair and organizer. Plans not meeting the format requirements will be rejected.

The semi-plenary panel discussion plan should include the title and topic of the panel (250-500 words without references), the language of the panel, the name of the panel organizer, the names of the three speakers, the titles of their presentations, and the name of the moderator. Plans not meeting the format requirements will be rejected.

We  especially  encourage  young  researchers,  doctoral  programmes,  and  members  of large research projects to submit draft panel discussions!

Section  and  panel  plans  will  be  assessed  by  the  board  members  of  MSZT.  Aspects of assessment: fit to the conference topic; elaboration of theoretical and/or methodological background; relevance.

Please submit session plans here and panel plans here.

If  you  have  any  questions,  please  contact  Noémi  Loncsák  on  behalf  of  MSZT: loncsaknoémi@gmail.com

The organizers:

Hungarian  Sociological  Association  and  the Institute  of  Applied  Social  Sciences  of  the Faculty of Arts, University of Miskolc