At the end of last year, the so-called Round table with a well-known Slovak sociologist and university teacher, doc. PhDr. Michal Vašečka, PhD. The round table was chaired by the chairman of the Political Section, Bc. Ján Orda Oravec, with the participation of fifth-year students of the Faculty of International Relations of the University of Economics in Bratislava.
The topic was "Polarization of society as a determinant of global risks", but we also touched on topics such as hierarchies in society, electoral preferences, inheritance of ideology and the future of Slovakia. Mr. Vašečka provided us with an educated insight into the importance and especially the danger of polarization, which has been present in Slovak society basically since its inception. We went through the topics of the establishment of the Slovak nation, where we also focused on the identity of Slovaks or the path to independence.
Polarization is present in most aspects of public life, which does not necessarily mean it is bad, as we live in a democratic, free society where freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed by the Constitution. What is dangerous, however, is the ever-widening gap between opposing ideological opposites and the way in which individual parties have chosen to discuss or act on the differences that exist in social life. Mr Vašečka drew attention to the dangerously growing phenomenon of aggression and strong politicisation of ideological differences that result in violence.
During our second so-called The round table led by the supervisor of the Political Section Ing. Zuzana Beňová, PhD. was discussed with us by political scientist and university lecturer, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Languages of the University of Economics in Bratislava, doc. PhDr. Radoslav Štefančík, MPol. PhD. The most polarizing topics in society, such as migration, Slovakia in the EU and NATO, were researched and addressed, the rights of the LGBTI community or excluded Roma communities. A great deal of knowledge gained and new information from Mr. Štefančík is valuable knowledge for all of us.
Both events were held in a pleasant atmosphere, the conversation with the guest was followed by questions from students, of which there were really many. We would like to thank both our guests very much for accepting our invitation.
