Contribution short abstract:

My contribution shall reflect upon my two decades long engagement in the public debates and applied ethnological/anthropological research in Slovakia, dealing especially with effects of transformations in economy and politics.

Contribution long abstract:

This contribution shall deal with the production of ethnological/anthropological knowledge by an experienced etnographer. I will discuss my own role as an engaged publicist in the leading Slovak press, in particular with regard to the question of social critique and what has been its characteristics vis-a-vis what has been known as Western leftism. I will also share my experiences in applied research, particularly with the theme of illicit or informal economy on the EU eastern border and what influences this research had on public policy. I will then dicsuss the influence/the lack of it with regard to another of my public policy research, dealing with radical populism and fascism and the issue of Roma integration. The major argument is that we need to be more political as etnographers in order to make our knowledge hearn.