EDITOR' S NOTE

Abstract

Research and dialogue in the social sciences as such have never been in the forefront of the mainstream Greek society. A variety of reasons have been offered for this seemingly lack of interest in the social research field, the primary being some kind of "socio-political conspiracy" on the part of the conservative elites that have governed Greece almost exclusively since Independence. As a matter of fact, it is not accidental the very fact that neither sociology and psychology nor education faculties exist in Greek universities, whereas systematic research on political and historical issues bas been minimal. Numerous scholars have pointed out that in-depth research and analyses of the different sociopersonal issues prevailing in Greek society have been repeatedly avoided or even stifled altogether. Only very few instances exist where individual efforts have challenged this traditional indifference towards unraveling the mechanisms and processes underlying the very structures and functioning of the entire Greek social apparatus. In addition, the mere fact that Greece spends the least money (percentagewise) of its G.N.P. among all European and developing nations for research is one more indication of the low priorities placed on social sciences investigation.
On the other hand, as has been documented throughout the existing literature, almost "another Greece" exists outside Greece proper. The so-called Apodimoi Hellines or the Greek Diaspora may be found all over the globe, and more so in the large industrialized countries of the western world, namely the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, West Gerrnany, and Sweden to name a few. Research and social interest about the millions of Greek immigrants on the part of the "metropolitan Greece" has been virtually non-existent, with the exception of a few and unsystematic descriptive accounts for mainly administrative purposes. Whatever studies do exist about the Greek immigrants around the world are the exclusive work of scholars and organizations of the Greek immigrants themselves, or even, in some instances, of non-Greek scholars working within the overall field of ethnic relations. And this trend, towards investigating the different ethnic parameters, has been intensified over the last twenty years or so among the immigrant receiving societies.
Thus, acknowledging and sharing the positive contribution of all efforts of Greek and non-Greek scholars who have been, in one way or another, involved in the studying of Greek issues around the globe, HELLENIC STUDIES aims at offering one more concrete challenge within the social sciences field. H.S. begins its publication with the sincere and ambitious aim of becoming the international academic forum of dialogue and exchange of ideas among all scholars dealing with the multifaceted issues prevailing among the Hellines of the entire world. Furtherrnore, this latest journal including articles and analyses in English and French, at both the theoretical and empirical level, will pursue the cooperation and contributions of the best experts on Greek issues inside and outside Greece proper - future issues of the H.S. journal will most probably include a limited number of articles in Greek as well.
It is our aim and belief that such an effort will fill an existing gap in the acadernic community and that H.S. will be welcomed by every Greek and non-Greek alike. We are convinced that this periodical publication will make its positive contribution towards a better understanding of general Greek issues and the larger societal issues as well.