Introduction on Cultural Change in Norway Immigration has become one of the most important social issues in modern Europe, and Norway is no exception. Over the last few decades, Norway has transformed from a relatively homogeneous society into a multicultural nation shaped by global migration, economic mobility, refugee movements, and international labor markets. This transformation … Read more
Introduction Political polarization has become one of the most significant social and political phenomena in contemporary Europe. In countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, political divisions have increasingly shaped public opinion, electoral behavior, media discourse, and social relationships. Polarization refers to the process through which political opinions move toward ideological extremes, reducing the space … Read more
Introduction on Migration in Romania Social inequality and migration are deeply interconnected phenomena that shape modern societies, especially in post-socialist countries like Romania. Since the collapse of state socialism in 1989 and the country’s later integration into the European Union in 2007, Romania has experienced profound socio-economic transformations. These changes have led to both opportunities … Read more
Introduction on Social Policy in Southern Europe The phenomenon of population ageing has emerged as one of the most defining demographic transformations of the 21st century. While ageing is a global process, its intensity and consequences are unevenly distributed. Among world regions, Southern Europe—particularly countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal—stands out as one … Read more
Introduction on Tourism and Social Change in Mediterranean Countries The Mediterranean region—stretching across Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Western Asia—has long been a cradle of civilization, cultural exchange, and economic activity. Countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and Egypt are globally renowned for their historical heritage, coastal beauty, and diverse cultural … Read more
Introduction on Gender Roles and Family Change in Southern Europe Southern Europe, comprising countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, has long been associated with strong family ties, traditional gender roles, and deeply rooted cultural norms influenced by religion, particularly Catholicism and Orthodox Christianity. Historically, these societies emphasized patriarchal family structures, clear gender divisions, … Read more
Introduction The collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989 marked one of the most significant geopolitical transformations of the late twentieth century. Among the countries undergoing this profound transition, Poland stands out as a particularly compelling case of social, economic, and political restructuring. The shift from a centrally planned socialist system to … Read more
The economic crisis that struck Greece in 2009 was not merely a financial collapse; it was a profound social rupture. What began as a sovereign debt crisis soon transformed into a structural crisis of institutions, family life, employment patterns, political legitimacy, and collective identity. From a sociological perspective, the crisis revealed deep-seated inequalities within Greek … Read more
Introduction Migration has been one of the most transformative social processes shaping contemporary Europe. Among Southern European countries, Italy occupies a unique position. Historically a land of emigration, Italy has become, since the late twentieth century, a major destination for migrants from Eastern Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. This dramatic … Read more
Introduction Migration has been one of the most transformative forces in the making and remaking of Irish society. For centuries, Ireland was primarily known as a land of emigration. Waves of Irish people left their homeland due to famine, colonial domination, economic hardship, and political conflict. However, the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries witnessed … Read more