/ 1968
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WHO ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS AND LEADERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT IN SERBIA

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The paper analyzes the prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics of environmental activism in Serbia. Analysis of the data collected in three research projects (survey conducted on a representative sample for Serbia (N = 1952) and two environmentally vulnerable communities (Pancevo (N = 450) and Bor (N = 350)) and semi-structured interviews with 44 leaders of environmental non-governmental organizations from Serbia) is focused on answering three questions: 1. What is the extent to which environmental activism is developed in Serbia, in general, and environmentally vulnerable communities, in particular? 2. What are the main socio-demographic characteristics of environmentally active individuals in Serbia?; 3. What are the main socio-demographic differences between environmental activists in the environmentally affected communities and those who are active in the other areas? The research results show that environmental activism is relatively underdeveloped in Serbia in general, as well as in the directly affected communities. A typical environmental activist is a young man or woman, city dweller, member of the middle class and a highly educated person who is in a relatively secure financial position. When it comes to Pancevo, the data show that socio-economic variables (financial and class status) do not have a statistically significant effect. This could be attributed to the “democratising” effect of environmental risks. On the other hand, the case of Bor is rather atypical since none of socio-demographic variables shows statistical significance, which can be explained with almost total economic dependence of the operations of RTB Bor (which is also the largest polluter).

/ 1968
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PRIVATIZATION PROCESSES AS PERCEIVED BY SERBIAN CITIZENS

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This paper aims to determine whether the global crisis of neoliberal economy (which became transparent in 2008 and lasts till this day) has led to a decline in support for economic reforms and privatization processes in Serbia, and particularly whether this support differs among social classes. The analysis relies on the data obtained within two research projects – Stratification and Value Changes in the Period of Social Transformation (2003) and Тhe New Challenges of Social Integration in Serbia: Concepts and Actors (2012) as well as on national representative samples. It involves examination of the degree of respondents’ support for empirical statements measuring orientation towards economic liberalism (general and specific) and privatization of different segments of public sector.

/ 1968
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POSITION OF SERBIA IN THE GLOBAL CAPITALIST SYSTEM

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Purpose of this work is examination of the position of Serbia in the global capitalist system according to economic characteristics, determination if it can be characterized as a country in the centre, semi-peripheral or peripheral to the global capitalist system, using economic parameters selected based on operationalized theory of Immanuel Wallerstain. The paper will show that the structure of capitalism displays clear differences in its centre, semi-periphery and periphery. The centre is a place with all the capital, where technological innovations and political power provide most sophisticated products which are also most expensive. However, its economic power is primarily based on the exploitation of periphery which offers cheap work force and low production costs. Semi-periphery is found between the centre and the periphery, and is so both the exploiter and the exploited. The Wallerstain’s theoretical standpoint is very fruitful for studies of modern social relations in the global context, based on exploiting a large number of countries in the global capitalist system.

/ 1968
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EDITOR’S NOTE

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/ 1968
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ABOUT THE GOLDEN RATIO SPIRAL AND THE FIBONACCI SEQUENCE

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The golden ratio spiral is a proportionate code of nature which grows by Fibonacci sequence of numbers and reflects a balance in the geometry of space, time, matter and information. The golden ratio is a building tool which, as a collection of spirals in the form of ether toruses, creates fractal repetitive structures of electro-magnetic energy weaving a gigantic hologram matrix throughout the universe. It is a perfect measure which argues that the whole relates to the part in the same way in which the part relates to the whole.

/ 1968
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A SPIRAL OF DEVELOPMENT AND/OR FALL

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Two key concepts that explain the essence of life are the concepts of time and space. Movement through time and space, according to one way of thinking, enters the path of circular motion in a close and predictable system. According to another, for the humans, movement has a linear path in an open and unpredictable system. A compromise between these two extreme positions of understanding development is symbolized by a spiral – it attempts to open a close system, to bring it back to almost the same position but also to lead it in a direction of development and movement towards new forms. So, a circle, a spiral and a ray are symbols of understanding progression in time which has its beginning. In this paper, the problem of development is presented through the symbolism of a spiral. In the context of monotheistic religions, the beginning is given by the creation of the world and counting of the days. A spiral is established in time by a cycle of weeks. The second message of the Old Testament comes from the fall into sin. Since then, through knowledge of the good and the evil, the spiral has unwound in two directions, a direction of life and a direction of death, and their battlefield are the Earth and the Being.

/ 1968
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SPIRAL AS A PERPETUAL WINDING AND UNWINDING OF THE SAME – CHINESE ANGLE

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Spiral cosmic energy is an umbilical cord that connects the man with the Earth and the Heavens. The classic Book of Change and the DNA use this basic cosmic pattern or a “universal code” to develop their forms and functions. DNA contains genetic material and processes for creation of biological, physical bodies. The classic Book of Change contains principles of philosophical and psychological processes based on which changes and transitional states of mind and spirit occur, in accordance with the principle that the “Heavens/Cosmos and Man are intertwined as One”.

/ 1968
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SPIRAL CREATION AND DESTRUCTION

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Starting from the point that the spiral is a natural shape, the author studies its expressions in culture. Determined by a circular line which progressively moves away from the centre, the spiral becomes a symbol of human detachment from nature in the process of self-creation. Symbolizing the process of individualization, the spiral denotes a circular determination of initial elements and a linear determination of new creation. Its metaphor also denotes a progressive increase of emotional and aggressive negativity as a challenge to human survival. Spiral spread of hatred and destruction is, however, limited by an opposite growing force. This can in fact justify why in the history, in spite of its forcefulness, the evil has never won and why it can prevail only temporarily in the future.

/ 1968
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SPIRAL AND THE SPIRAL PATH AS POSSIBLE SIGNIFICATION OF INDIVIDUALISATION – CHRISTIAN VIEW

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The process of getting to know yourself (Gnothi s’eaungton) is long lasting; it is also a process of individualization and/or deification. Gradual and troublesome separation of one(Self) from the outer environment and influence (Heidegger’s concept of Self), searching for one(Self) as a Personality – on the way from an individual to personality – could be a little daringly called a spiral path. The spiral (Greek word) is defined as a curve (curved line, bent line, bend) consisting of a sequence of a growing number of bends around a point in a plane. This point can be also denoted as a hub (centre, focal point, core) or an axis, an imagined middle straight line around which a solid body revolves. In mathematics, the spiral is a curve in a plane which circulates indefinitely around a determined point. The spiral hyperbolically (relating to a hyperbole) represents a curve which, on the one side, gets indefinitely closer and closer to the point 0 (asymmetrical point), while on the other, it also determines the curve by the fact that the two, if continued, get closer and closer to each other but never meet. Doesn’t this amazing image of an asymptote remind us of the Man-God relationship?