Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic

The department studies the changes to the social structure arising as a result of the transformation of society and the basic developmental tendencies of cultural and social change in Czech society that have occurred since the country’s accession to the European Union. The continuity of stratification research since the 1960s allows the department also to focus on comparisons over long periods. At present, the department’s research agenda focuses on social stratification and especially the relational aspect of social inequalities. It studies interactions in the social structure – patterns of association in social networks (distance and friendly ties) and the role of cultural and social resources (cultural and social capital) in intergenerational reproduction. In this context the department also studies lifestyle differentiation, cultural taste and consumption, the perception of inequalities, social identity, social justice, and the gender and globalisation aspects of inequalities. The second area of interest in the department’s research agenda is social and cultural cohesion, specifically social capital (the effects of socio-cultural heterogeneity) and interpersonal trust. In recent years the department has conducted studies of egocentric social networks and stratification stereotypes (Social Distance 2007), leisure time and sporting activities (as part of the ISSP 2007), and the intergenerational transmission of social status and value orientations in the family since 1990 (Distances and Values 2008, in co-operation with CESES, Charles University). In addition to these representative surveys the department has also carried out qualitative surveys of the perception of social inequalities and categorisation of social groups (in-depth interviews) and of access to education and educational trajectories in families with children (group discussions with parents and educational ethnography). Department members also provide expert analyses for the non-profit sector and teach in higher education institutions.

Current projects:

Shared Values and Norms of Behaviour as a Source of Greater Social Cohesion and Overcoming the Negative Impact of Social Stratification in the Czech Republic (doc. Milan Tuček, CSc.). See: http://sdilenihodnot.soc.cas.cz.

alias: sss@soc.cas.cz