Социокултурни и социоекономски фактори као детерминанте девијантних појава и социјалних проблема у Републици Српској
Socio-cultural and socio-economic factors as determinants of deviant phenomena and social problems in the Republic of Srpska: Empirical indicators

Summary/Abstract: Socio-economic and socio-cultural inequalities in the Republic of Srpska have been maintained and developed further by the influence of accepted abandonment of the commandplanning mode of business inherent in the former socialist system and the cumulative effect of the whole set of unfavorable factors contained in the “ post-socialist transition. “ The paper will present part of the results of the empirical research on social changes in the Republic of Srpska, which relate to the questioning of the respondents about what are the deviations and social problems expressed in our society, their causes and consequences. For the purpose of collecting data, quota questionnaire was used, which was composed of several units, and which corresponded to the research objectives, and for the purposes of the work a descriptive method was used. Empirical data from our social research were observed through Merton’s anomie theory or strain theory which was fundamental for making hypothesis as well as analysis and interpretation of the results. Our analysis can be considered from other theories in criminology but in the specific moment of our research, the Merton’s theory was considered as the most acceptable for representation of deviant occurrences in our society conditioned by specific social and cultural factors. Gathered results should primarily be used for raising awareness in our society regarding analysed deviances, so that proper measures could be taken in the direction of improvement of social conditions and, if possible, healing the value system. Finding that more than one half of the examinees are unemployed, and between 25-31 years of age (58,3%) and 32-38 years of age (43,9%) (the best life age physically speaking; reproductive life age), supports Merton’s anomie concept because structural disturbances in society made them impossible to fulfil default cultural aims like material success in any legitimate way. This provides space for development of deviant occurrences as well as achieving set goals in a socially unacceptable way. Devious occurrences are, in most cases, the consequence of poor adaptability both of an individual and a society to new global trends in all spheres. They represent, in a certain way, an image of deviations which are a product of discrepancy between (still) traditional bondage and global pressures. This is typical for societies going through transitional period and trying to „fit in“ contemporary development trends. However, such strivings are reflected in that individuals – almost every day – have to face uncertainty in regard to their employment, work careers, short term jobs, unstable pensions, poor economic growth, and poor social care. In this regard, the society of Republika Srpska (as well as of entire BH) faces de-industrialisation, transitional recession, sale of national resources to foreign investors, unemployment, poverty; and, generally speaking, loss of social rights. So, for most people from such a society there remains a hope that – in a series of different social and political changes, economic crisis, depopulation, refugees, poverty among all those who could not adopt to the new trends in the last twenty years – they will not have to look for “solutions” in different destructive directions, such as, in this case, violence.

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