Scientists at the Impact Summit: Political Parties Benefit from the Division into “Us” and “Them” (Video)
Cultural anthropologist Helena Tužinská and social anthropologist Juraj Buzalka spoke with scientist Samo Kováčik about the collapse of trust in society from the scientific perspective.
Slovakia is facing an enormous level of polarization, leading to open extremism. For that reason, there was an expert discussion titled What Divides Us? listed as a part of this year’s Impact Summit. Cultural anthropologist Helena Tužinská, social anthropologist Juraj Buzalka, and science popularizer Samuel Kováčik, also known as Vedátor, discussed contemporary social phenomena. The experts agreed that the only solution is to find common ground.
According to Juraj Buzalka, the struggle for a better society does not bring winners and losers. “We should abandon the idea that there will be a final resolution where someone will be proven right,” the anthropologist says. He also emphasizes that we tend to forget the stories that have shaped our common history, such as the events of 1989. “We lack a story that unites us,” Buzalka adds.
Helena Tužinská also acknowledges the importance of a shared narrative. She points out that the best quality of life is found in communities with a high level of civic engagement, as people understand public affairs better and create their own collective story. “We cannot trust something we do not understand,” Tužinská says, highlighting the importance of using clear and accessible language when communicating with the public.
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Samuel Kováčik also touched on the topic of humor and its role in bringing society together. “Humor is a typical tool for de-escalating conflicts,” says Vedátor. He also notes that context is always crucial, as a joke can contribute to polarization if used incorrectly. “Authoritarian regimes prohibit laughter and the creation of communities that can joke about themselves. A king who cannot tolerate a jester only makes a fool of himself,” Helena Tužinská reflects.
If you are interested in how the speakers view politicians’ responsibility in the destruction of society or how the tradition of carnivals relates to polarization, watch the full discussion below.
Impact Summit is co-financed by the European Union.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
