Vesa Puuronen – författare

This book examines some of the most pressing issues affecting contemporary societies in Europe in the 2020s, namely uncertainty, unrest and the fragility of individuals and groups.Monika Banaś, Vesa Puuronen and their contributors analyse a selection of challenges affecting the present and near future of Europe and European societies. They reflect on processes and events that have a pivotal impact on individual and collective life, for example, how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected reformulation or revision of such concepts as security, uncertainty, independence, freedom, democracy and democratic values as well as nation and nationalism. The volume discusses phenomena such as the migration and integration of refugees, media narratives on the Russian–Ukrainian war, political campaign rhetoric concerning the war, institutional engagement in fostering civil and inclusive societies, strategies of young people to cope with uncertainty in times of socio-economic challenges.The book offers a valuable reference for scholars and students of European societies studying a broad scope of courses in sociology, political culture, intercultural communication, intercultural and international relations, along with political science. It will also be of interest to experts and practitioners of the NGO sector active in supporting vulnerable individuals, communities and societies.

This book examines some of the most pressing issues affecting contemporary societies in Europe in the 2020s, namely uncertainty, unrest and the fragility of individuals and groups.Monika Banaś, Vesa Puuronen and their contributors analyse a selection of challenges affecting the present and near future of Europe and European societies. They reflect on processes and events that have a pivotal impact on individual and collective life, for example, how the Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected reformulation or revision of such concepts as security, uncertainty, independence, freedom, democracy and democratic values as well as nation and nationalism. The volume discusses phenomena such as the migration and integration of refugees, media narratives on the Russian–Ukrainian war, political campaign rhetoric concerning the war, institutional engagement in fostering civil and inclusive societies, strategies of young people to cope with uncertainty in times of socio-economic challenges.The book offers a valuable reference for scholars and students of European societies studying a broad scope of courses in sociology, political culture, intercultural communication, intercultural and international relations, along with political science. It will also be of interest to experts and practitioners of the NGO sector active in supporting vulnerable individuals, communities and societies.

This title was first published in 2000:  The book is aimed at uncovering certain features of the future of Karelia, which is partly situated in Russia and Finland. The authors believe that this can be done by studying in depth the opinions, values, norms, beliefs, fears and hopes of young people living in two neighbouring but profoundly different societies: Russia and Finland. Young people are constructing these societies in the 20th century. The book is based on a comparative research project, financed by the Academy of Finland, which was carried out during 1995-1997 by an international, inter-disciplinary research group. The novelty of the book is based on the use of different research methods and theoretical starting points. One of the crucial questions raised by the book concerns the applicability of Western theories in research into Russian society and people. The analysis shows that many of the concepts applied frequently in Western social sciences do not apply in research relating to Russian specific culture. The book proposes that more attention should be paid to the challenges of comparative research.