Društvo znanja u kontekstu kulturne traume i društvenih transformacija / Knowledge Society in the Context of Cultural Trauma and Social Transformations

The existence of any society depends on a system of knowledge, trust, and identification of its members with that society. Exclusion from society threatens human existence, whereas a society that fails to achieve this connection among its members cannot survive. Social prosperity is not necessarily and exclusively conditioned by economic well-being. In fact, social well-being also depends on sustainable peace, the rule of law, the absence of corruption, and the existence of institutions that prevent the abuse of force. Social changes in the last 60 years – the transition from industrial to post-industrial, modern to postmodern society – have changed the concepts of the knowledge and education system. Instead of knowledge and education being goals for improving society, they have become a means to achieve economic growth and profit, without any critical thought. Societies in Southeast Europe are facing a continuous exodus of population, especially educated and qualified personnel, while unsuccessful political, economic and cultural elites further complicate the situation in these societies. In this context, contemporary societies are also facing cultural trauma, a collective phenomenon that arises as a consequence of devastating events such as war, genocide, war crimes and all other types of crimes, generally due to the escalation of violence. The more educated layers of society are often the first to recognize and articulate traumas, which shows the connection between education and the ability to cope with cultural traumas. The crisis of trust further complicates these processes, and its recovery is crucial for the restoration of the democratic order. At the same time, the concept of the “knowledge society,” which once promised progress and social justice, is collapsing today. Instead of being a means for the common good, knowledge has become a tool for market goals and economic profit, thus marginalizing its wider social significance. Trust and values that are crucial for social cohesion are now undermined, while education is increasingly moving away from its emancipatory potential.