Watchdog Urges Serbian Sociological Society to Protect Professor Criticized by Ruling Party Leader

The Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) has called on the Serbian Sociological Society and sociology departments across Serbia to publicly defend sociology professor Marija Vasić. This appeal follows criticism directed at Vasić by Miloš Vučević, the leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

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BIRODI stated that Vasić, during an appearance on the program "Utisak nedelje" (Impression of the Week), offered a sociological interpretation of the large number of people attending a religious event at the Temple of Saint Sava. She used a definition of fetishism, grounded in the theories of sociologist Emile Durkheim, which is part of the official Serbian high school curriculum. Vasić explained fetishism as attributing supernatural properties to objects and believing in their magical powers.

Vučević, however, criticized Vasić's statements, calling it "worrying and problematic" that she would "impose such a view on her students." BIRODI countered that instead of engaging in a dialogue with Professor Vasić about the theoretical basis of her explanation, Vučević acted as a spokesperson for a religious community to which he belongs. BIRODI argued that this response denies Vasić the right to explain what sociology students are taught in a subject that is increasingly disappearing from the educational system.

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Instead of dialogue with Professor Vasić about the validity of the aforementioned theoretical approach, Vučević acted as a spokesperson for the religious community to which he belongs. Denying sociologist Vasić the right to state what high school students learn in sociology, a subject that is increasingly disappearing from the educational system.

BIRODI expressed concern that without sociology in schools and sociologists in public discourse, Serbian society will remain unable to improve and the profession itself will become obsolete. The organization emphasized that sociology is a valuable social self-awareness founded on scientific principles.

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Without sociology in schools and sociologists in public, society in Serbia will remain without the possibility of changing for the better, and sociology will become a dead profession.