Social Innovation för Demokrati? - en kvalitativ studie om Dramalogens användning av kultur som redskap för inkludering

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to understand within the field of IMER the importance that cultural workers at Dramalogen suggest that the use of aestethic culture – and drama – may have for the inclusion of cultural and ethnic groups, which run the risk of becoming marginalized in society. The research question focuses on the use of drama to highlight social problems concerning particular groups in local society. The methods employed were qualitative interviews, three participant observations and collection of documents. The empirical result shows that Dramalogen identify social changes and problems, from the standpoint of inclusive and democratic values, and use aesthetic culture and drama as a tool in an attempt to include cultural and ethnic groups, which risk to become marginalized. The analytical concept social exclusion and the dramaturgical theory of Goffman, were used to analyse the empirical material. The analysis suggests that their use of drama works as a mirror that reflects social problems, and - based on values of inclusion and democracy - also triggers a change in the public, although it is not possible to affirm within the study that this actually happens. The study also evaluate whether Dramalogens way of using aesthetic culture – and drama pedagogy – can be seen as a social innovation, and address the relevance for questions of revitalizing democracy.