Konflikt bez konfliktu - Górny Śląsk i Zagłębie Dąbrowskie w opinii młodych mieszkańców Metropolii "Silesia"
A conflict without conflict — the Upper Silesia and Dąbrowa Basin in opinions of the Silesia Metropolis young inhabitants

Summary/Abstract: Abstract: The following article presents a new look on a specific local conflict that is supposed to exist among inhabitants of the Upper Silesia and the Dąbrowa Basin. The Silesia Metropolis is an association of cities historically and culturally connected with both the Upper Silesia and the Dąbrowskie Basin. The functional cooperation among the cities dates since the late 19th century, yet the city association was raised in 2007 and the name (Silesia Metropolis) was introduced in 2010. With new city-union name followed a promotion campaign. Creating a new vision of the cities and a new identity will not succeed with lack of acceptance from the local population. Since the animosity has a negative impact on social relations between people from neighbouring regions it is an important field of research. Inhabitants of the Upper Silesia and the Dąbrowa Basin seem to be partial and biased in describing their homeland (glorification) and the neighbouring region (disgrace) and it is crucial to emphasize that the process takes place on both sides. The sociological research presented in the article was conducted in 2011 in fourteen cities of the Silesia Metropolis with young respondents (19—31 years old). The main purpose of exploration was to analyse the public opinion about the Silesia Metropolis: name of the association, city-union marketing and the hostility relations of opposite regions, especially whether the animosity still lives in the young population. The research shows that the animosity is nothing more than an interesting stereotype, still culturally valid, yet with no important impact on social relations.

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