Students:Case study methodology

Content and goals

In contrast to the e-learning modules of the ISPoS program, the Summer School concentrated on the local problems of a specific region where the huge impacts of supra-regional industries are visible. The program capitalized on the opportunities to see and experience the situation in the Ore Mountains: a Czech – German border region which suffers from (unregulated) mining industry, air pollution from lignite power plants and chemical factories, and above all bears the history of the Sudetenland with all its attached stigmas relating to the forced migration of its inhabitants. We have met local people and points of interest, explored and described the current situation and tried to find solutions through the exploration of the actor analysis method with a practical application to the local circumstances.

Problem and hypothesis

With regard to the preliminary experience with the region (preparation and realization of the Summer School 2011) we have posed a hypothesis that the source of pressing regional problems that include social, economic and environmental sphere are distorted relationships of those living in the area – dysfunctional social structure that rather provides good ground for exploitation than for living. We have had evidence from the history – expulsion of the German population and invasion of the “gold miners” caused enormous degradation of whole regions. Consequently, after the post-war period there appeared to be no ground for re-establishment of civic structures, and ideologically based regional strategy aimed at development of heavy industry base for whole communist block at any price faced no opposition. The tradition of unscrupulous exploitation is still relevant today as the place lacks points of reference for the development of new, place based relationships within community – history with its artefacts has disappeared in the mining pits and artificially “reconstructed” nature does not provide any emotional incentives that would be a basis for development of a feeling for home. (However, if we look at the region with more attentiveness, its beauty could be easily revealed.)

Research question

Sustainable development regional strategies in general aim to capitalize on regional resources (natural, cultural) and manage them in sustainable way to develop their potential, and simultaneously preserve them for future generations. But in case when economy of the region is fully oriented towards “big projects” based on exploitation of “enormous natural resource abundance”, and regional strategies do not support small scaled innovations and initiatives (which makes from inhabitants hostages), something has to be changed substantially. Obviously, local people should be empowered to get rid of economic dependence on the big companies, but also gain new relationship to the place to feel responsibility for its future. For researchers, this situation provides an opportunity to analyse which actors might be sources of conflict and which create vital bonds or networks with other social groups and also are connected to the regional heritage (history, tradition, natural points etc.). Based on these considerations, we have identified the main research question for this year: How is the social capital formed? Who contributes to it and how? Then we also explored, how might be (or already is) this social capital contributing to sustainable development of the region, what are the main processes, and who plays the role in them.

Related case study

The other aim was to develop a case study focused on relationships of different interest groups (or actors) playing a role in brown coal mining conflict. We have made a basis for that – described the situation “objectively” – we have used resources describing the history, culture, environment etc. Our aim was to let the local actors to contribute to it – from their subjective point of view that included also their interests with regard to the mining issue. This part of our research has still to be done.

Framework for exploration

Analysis of the regional situation and its sustainable development opportunities from the point of view of regional actors, from the perspective of social capital, and in historical and contemporary context.

I. Context: introduction into the regional situation with its history and current problems

II. Framing: guiding concepts in regional context (social capital, relations to place, EU and global driving forces) Introduce the concept of social capital (SC)

1. Definition

• What does it mean in the local context?

2. Define environmental and economic capital & interrelationships

• What do these concepts mean in the local context?
• How do they manifest in the history and now?

Place based principles in regional context 3. Definition

• Find the role in different cooperation networks, spheres (education,…) and reflect relations to social etc. capital

New networks and relationships (EU, global networks) 4. Definition or description

• Find the role in different cooperation networks, spheres (economy,…) and reflect relations to social etc. capital