Social distance is a persistent topic in the history of human sciences. In Italy, theoretical
studies on this subject have been recently published (Cesareo 2007). Therefore, the aim of this
article is to offer only a few complementary suggestions. First of all, some references to social
distance in common sense and literary language (as we can see in novels of various countries)
are explored. Secondly, the historical and scientific research frame in which Bogardus experimented
his social distance scale is outlined, as well as some subsequent international studies on
social distance between different ethnic groups. Thirdly, the article considers both qualitative or
micro-sociological research (Goffman 1959; 2002; 2008, Doxiadis 1968, Watson 1972) and
macro-issues, such as social stratification or intercultural processes. Last, some recent analyses
based on computational models are mentioned, such as Schelling’s models of spatial segregation
(1969, 1971).
In contemporary west society, the individual-person, as Modernity defines the subject
lives its laceration between an instrumental function preservation of its own existence, which
is designed to produce tradition relational patterns, and the possibility to understand itself as
a «strong subject» to this homologation, which has the capacity to point its own action
towards acknowledgement request of those identitary relationships, made to safeguard subjects-
persons autonomy. Subjectivities, distinguished into instrumental-rational world and
communitary-netlike one, are looking for a highlighting, also institutional, as subjects-persons
of collective-action and as interlocutors. And in this new scenery, person wellness constrains
to a development of reflections, concerning, at a macro level and in relational terms, welfare
and health and life quality public interventions systems, while, at a micro level, interpersonal
relationships pertain to processes of healing and care. In this work I mean to make a reflection
on the transformation of relation idea both into sanitary service dimension and into
health one.
Europe building process is a key factor in the future of societies that take part or will take
part in it. First of all, Europe building is the attempt to cast politics beyond what Beck and
Grande call «methodological nationalism» and, besides, it is a social lab unprecedented in our
history. Despite of its relevance, social sciences and the media don’t give to Europe the due
attention. This article gives an account of a wider research that analyzed Europe building from
the perspective of the relationship between EU insitutions and organized transnational civil
society. This dialogue is very worthy for EU institutions themselves because is considered the
best way to create a Europe that goes beyond economical integration and that will be able to
offer to its citizens identity, sense of belonging and social solidarity.
This article aims to present a short digression, without claim for completeness, about drawbacks
and benefits connected to the use of CAQDAS (Computer Assisted Qualitative Data
Analysis Softwares) for the analysis of facts and figures from biographic interviews. Moreover,
these options could be applied as well for the analysis of different qualitative data source.
According to our opinion, and unlike the claims by some authors, the analysis of this kind of
material can not be considered scientifically viable just because performed with special software.
Then, we explained some simple tools (word processor and indexing system) which can
be found in different operating systems, to be used alongside or as alternative to CAQDAS for
the analysis of qualitative data.