What Makes Profound, Peaceful Social Transitions Successful? The Example of the Underground Solidarity Movement

In this article the rationale of this special issue is provided and the different contributions are introduced. The assumption is that there are strong similarities between the recent political and social transitions in South Africa and Germany and the reactions, both emotional and literary, of the people involved. Broadly, the transitions are described as a movement from external (or violent) to internal (or ideological) social control, though this must be modified by the various constructions the contributors put on the transition. The main themes and questions of the transitions are synthesized, highlighting the marked similarities the different contributions reveal. The most important of these are the relation to the past, problems of identity, projections of the new and the internal contradictions of nationalist discourse (which informs the process of transition). In conclusion, the similarities and differences between the two transitions indicated by this special issue, are discussed. The assumption of strong similarities between the two seems to hold, it is argued, but much more research into the matter is needed.

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Durabilité et lien social : transitions et transactions dans l’expérimentation

SociologieS ◽

10.4000/sociologies.5384 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Philippe Hamman

Keyword(s):

Social Transitions

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Stabilizing or Challenging Patriarchy? Sketches of Selected “New” Political Masculinities

Men and Masculinities ◽

10.1177/1097184x18769137 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 563-581 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Henri Myrttinen

Keyword(s):

Gender Roles ◽

Political Actors ◽

The Past ◽

Social Transitions ◽

Ways Of Being

Although it has come under multiple attacks and pressures over the past decades, patriarchy has proven itself to be highly resilient and adaptive. However, new ways of “being men” have started to emerge over the past years that at least seemingly question dominant masculinities. I examine here four “new” forms of political masculinities: violently fratriarchal masculinities, “softer” militarized masculinities of peacekeepers, the less violent masculinities promoted by global antidomestic violence campaigns, and lastly what I term the “He4She” masculinities of international political actors. These four manifestations of political masculinities underscore on the transitional and temporal nature of gender roles and identities. All have arisen out of political and social transitions in which previously dominant notions of masculinity have been challenged. These changes, however, do not necessarily mean an end to patriarchy. Indeed, the new somewhat more egalitarian masculinities may serve to shore up and stabilize patriarchy.

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