Chernysh M.F. Problematization of the Social: Social Structure Research and Russian Sociology

Текст статьи.

Abstract

The studies of social structure have a greater capability to problematize the social than even other branches of modern sociology. Their relevance for the social is explained by the fact that they are focused on diff erences that are born out of the key contradictions of society – inequality, dominance of some social groups over others, barriers erected in the way of social mobility. A sociologist who studies problems of social structure, inevitably deals with a moral dilemma – to reveal the hidden contradictions or to hush them up in order to cause anger from the powers that be. The Russian sociology community has shown that even in the diffi cult times with that autonomy of social science was in doubt, it was possible to bypass ideological barriers and direct public discussion towards important social issues. Even in the studies that are now branded as “apologetic” in respect to the existing social and political order, key contradictions of society became subjects of scientifi c debates. Sociologists found ways to warn society of the growing social tensions and raise the relevance of judgments on how to avoid the coming crisis.