K vybraným problémom transformácie sociálno-priestorovej situácie Slovenska v deväťdesiatych rokoch
On Selected Problems of Transformation of Social-Spatial Situation in Slovakia in 1990s

Summary/Abstract: On Selected Problems of Transformation of Social-Spatial Situation in Slovakia in 1990s. The article analyses the problems of transformation of social-spatial situation in Slovakia, which in many respects reflects the happening and turbulence of contemporary transformation process. After 1989, the reform of social-spatial sphere became one of the most expansive reforms (restoration of local governments, municipal legal subjectivity, creation of regional municipal associations, application of the Program of Village Restoration…). However, in the following period, the changes were not sufficiently rapid, complex and systematic in order to bring solutions to many imbalances in social-spatial situation of Slovakia. Author aims to answer the following questions: Are the ongoing transformation processes oriented towards the solution of problems and imbalances of previous industrial-urban period? In which direction fluctuates the social-spatial situation in Slovakia - towards the strengthening of its stability or on contrary towards the deepening of its polarisation? Which factors influence this fluctuation and what are their effects? Authors analysis indicate the further fragmentation and polarisation of Slovak society (territorial, residential, social-economic) as the developmental and modernisation processes of these differentiating social and social-spatial subjects are quite asynchronous contributing to the society shocks and complicating its developmental dynamics. Polarisation of society rests on the horizontal social-spatial differentiation as well as on the vertical social-economic polarisation. Existing residential and regional differences usually represent the social inequalities. So is the case with the vertical social-economic polarisation, which has striking regional and residential impacts. This vertical polarisation deeply influences social stratification of contemporary society and creates new social stratum of poor and unemployed. The difficulty of the situation lies in the fact that both these problematic dimensions meet in the same regions and territories. Author discusses in the greater detail the horizontal social-spatial dimension of Slovakia. Based on the empirical data, author analyses the state and the developmental tendencies of social-spatial situation in Slovakia at various levels - macro-social, regional and residential; and identifies the problems and imbalances produced by or accompanying the transformation process. He mentions the historical genesis of these problems, their current state and their impacts on the developmental conditions of settlements, concentrating mainly on social impacts of the development of Slovak society. Author also suggests the broader international implications of these problems. In the conclusion, article declares the need for a systematic solution of these problems both in regional as well as territorial national strategies. Sociológia 2001, Vol. 33 (No. 2: 185-206)

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