Review: Saša Bosančić (2025): Wissen, Selbst und Gesellschaft: Die Forschungsperspektive der Interpretativen Subjektivierungsanalyse [Knowledge, Self and Society: The Research Perspective of Interpretative Subjectivation Analysis]
The posthumously published habilitation thesis, "Knowledge, Self and Society: The Research Perspective of Interpretative Subjectivation Analysis," by Saša Bosančić, marks a significant contribution to the burgeoning field of subjectivation research. This comprehensive work, meticulously detailed and theoretically robust, introduces Bosančić’s novel research program, "interpretative subjectivation analysis." The thesis, made accessible through the journal Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research (FQS) under the DOI 10.17169/fqs-27.3.4779, offers a nuanced framework for understanding how individuals become subjects within societal contexts, emphasizing the intricate interplay of knowledge, power, and agency.
Bosančić’s research program distinguishes itself through several key theoretical and methodological innovations. A primary advancement is the conceptualization and differentiation of "mediating conditions" as a distinct analytical level. This addition provides a more granular understanding of the factors that shape subjectivation processes, moving beyond direct influences to encompass the complex web of intermediate elements that mediate between macro-level societal structures and micro-level individual experiences. Furthermore, Bosančić’s conceptualization of "relational subjectivity" offers a dynamic perspective on the self, positing that subjectivity is not an isolated, inherent quality but rather emerges and is sustained through interactions and relationships. This relational understanding inherently incorporates a sophisticated view of "agency," viewing it not as an unadulterated individual capacity but as something co-constructed and negotiated within social contexts, often influenced by power dynamics.
The thesis delves into a critical examination of existing lines of discussion within subjectivation research, providing a valuable overview that can serve as a springboard for future scholarly exploration. Bosančić meticulously lays out the theoretical, methodological, and methodical foundations necessary for researchers embarking on projects that investigate the complex interweavings of knowledge and actors. A particular emphasis is placed on adopting a "power-analytical perspective," urging researchers to critically interrogate how power structures shape and are shaped by subjectivation processes. This power-critical lens is crucial for understanding the inequalities and resistances embedded within the construction of selves and societies.
The Genesis and Scope of Interpretative Subjectivation Analysis
Saša Bosančić’s habilitation thesis, a culmination of extensive research and theoretical development, was finalized and published posthumously. The work itself represents a significant intellectual undertaking, aiming to establish a robust framework for analyzing subjectivation. Subjectivation, in this context, refers to the complex processes through which individuals become subjects—agents capable of acting and reflecting, but also individuals shaped by societal norms, discourses, and power relations. Bosančić’s "interpretative subjectivation analysis" is designed to capture the multifaceted nature of these processes, moving beyond simplistic notions of individual autonomy.
The core of Bosančić’s contribution lies in his systematic approach to understanding how knowledge, selfhood, and societal structures are interconnected. He argues that an effective analysis of subjectivation requires a multi-level approach, acknowledging that individual experiences are influenced by a confluence of factors operating at different scales. The introduction of "mediating conditions" as a distinct analytical layer is a direct response to this need. These conditions can include anything from institutional policies and cultural norms to interpersonal dynamics and the very language used to describe social realities. By dissecting these mediating factors, researchers can gain a deeper insight into how societal forces translate into individual subjectivities.
The concept of "relational subjectivity" is another cornerstone of Bosančić’s framework. Drawing on insights from social constructivism, symbolic interactionism, and critical theory, he posits that the self is not a pre-existing entity but is continuously constituted through social interaction. This perspective challenges essentialist notions of identity and emphasizes the fluid, context-dependent nature of selfhood. Within this relational framework, "agency" is understood not as an inherent property of an individual but as a capacity that is performed, negotiated, and often constrained within social relationships. This nuanced understanding of agency is critical for analyzing how individuals navigate societal expectations and exert influence, even within asymmetrical power relations.
Theoretical Foundations and Key Concepts
Bosančić’s work is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of sociological and philosophical thought. The references cited within the thesis reveal a profound engagement with seminal thinkers who have shaped our understanding of knowledge, society, and the self. Figures like Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, authors of "The Social Construction of Reality," provide a foundational understanding of how social realities are collectively built and maintained. Michel Foucault’s work on power, knowledge, and discourse is evident in Bosančić’s emphasis on the power-analytical perspective and his examination of how discourses shape subjectivities. Judith Butler’s theories on gender performativity and the psychic effects of power also resonate within Bosančić’s conceptualization of subjectivation and agency.
Other key influences include Ferdinand de Saussure and Jacques Derrida, whose linguistic and deconstructionist theories inform the understanding of how language shapes meaning and identity. Claude Lévi-Strauss’s structural anthropology and George Herbert Mead’s symbolic interactionism contribute to the relational aspects of Bosančić’s theory, emphasizing the social construction of the self. Reiner Keller’s work on knowledge-sociological discourse analysis and Hubert Knoblauch’s research on the communicative construction of reality further underscore the thesis’s grounding in contemporary social theory. The inclusion of Anselm L. Strauss’s foundational work on qualitative research methods highlights Bosančić’s commitment to empirical grounding and rigorous analytical practices.
The keywords associated with Bosančić’s thesis—subjectivation, research perspective, multi-level analysis, mediating conditions, transformation, agency, relational subjectivity, and power-analytical concepts—encapsulate the essence of his contribution. These terms collectively point to a sophisticated and comprehensive approach to understanding how individuals are formed as subjects within the complex dynamics of knowledge, power, and social interaction.
Methodological Implications and Research Applications
The interpretative subjectivation analysis offers a powerful methodological toolkit for researchers across various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, education, and disability studies. Johanna Burk, a doctoral candidate at the University of Innsbruck specializing in qualitative social research and disability studies, highlights the relevance of Bosančić’s work in her own research on stuttering individuals and their subjectivation processes. This connection underscores the practical applicability of Bosančić’s framework in fields concerned with the lived experiences of marginalized groups and the impact of societal discourses on individual identities.
The multi-level analytical approach advocated by Bosančić is particularly valuable for tackling complex research questions. For instance, in studying educational inequalities, researchers could employ this framework to analyze how macro-level policies (e.g., funding disparities), meso-level mediating conditions (e.g., school curricula, teacher-student interactions), and micro-level individual experiences (e.g., student self-perceptions, peer relationships) collectively shape the subjectivation of students. This integrated perspective allows for a more holistic understanding of the phenomenon, moving beyond single-cause explanations.
The emphasis on "power-analytical concepts" encourages researchers to critically examine the power dynamics inherent in any social situation. This means not only identifying who holds power but also understanding how power operates through discourses, institutions, and everyday interactions to shape what is considered knowledge, normal, and desirable. For researchers studying disability, for example, this involves analyzing how medical or educational discourses construct disability and how these constructions influence the subjectivities of individuals with disabilities.
The conceptualization of "relational subjectivity" and "agency" also offers new avenues for qualitative research. Instead of viewing agency as a fixed attribute, researchers can analyze how individuals perform agency in their interactions, how they negotiate their identities in relation to others, and how they are constituted as subjects through these ongoing processes. This approach is particularly relevant for understanding phenomena like resistance, coping mechanisms, and the development of collective identities.
Broader Impact and Future Directions
Saša Bosančić’s posthumous contribution to subjectivation research is timely and impactful. In an era characterized by rapid social and technological change, understanding how individuals navigate complex social landscapes and construct their identities is more critical than ever. His work provides a theoretical and methodological compass for researchers seeking to grapple with these challenges in a nuanced and critical manner.
The interpretative subjectivation analysis, with its emphasis on multi-level analysis, mediating conditions, and relational subjectivity, offers a robust framework for examining phenomena such as:
- Digital Subjectivation: How online environments and digital technologies shape self-perception, identity formation, and agency.
- Political Subjectivation: How political discourses, ideologies, and movements influence individuals’ understanding of themselves as citizens and agents of change.
- Subjectivation in Health and Illness: How medical discourses, patient experiences, and healthcare systems contribute to the construction of selfhood for individuals facing health challenges.
- Social Transformation: How subjectivation processes are intertwined with broader societal transformations, including social movements, technological shifts, and cultural changes.
The absence of download data for the thesis at present means direct access to the full text is pending, which may limit immediate widespread engagement. However, its publication in a reputable journal like Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung ensures its visibility and accessibility to the academic community. The detailed abstract and extensive reference list provide a strong indication of the thesis’s theoretical depth and methodological rigor.
The legacy of Saša Bosančić’s work lies in its potential to foster more sophisticated and critical approaches to understanding the human condition in its social context. By offering a refined lens for analyzing subjectivation, his research program invites scholars to delve deeper into the intricate ways in which individuals are shaped by, and in turn shape, the societies they inhabit. The theoretical and methodological foundations laid out in "Knowledge, Self and Society" are poised to guide future research, contributing to a richer and more comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a subject in the contemporary world.
