Society development. Mechanisms for changing social relations
Key concepts: social change and social revolution; levels and directions of development of society; conservative, reformist, revolutionary approaches to the transformation of society; the ratio of reforms and revolutions, the causes of social revolutions.
Numerous, relatively independent social objects and processes that make up society as a structurally complex and dynamic social system are constantly changing. Social changes is the transition of a society or its constituents structural elements from one state to another. They are an inevitable and obligatory feature of any society.
Encourage society to move forward social contradictions . However, if they are not addressed in a timely manner, social revolution, that is, a deep and prolonged crisis in all spheres of public life. After a revolution, a painful process usually sets in, the formation of new social relations, which often turn out to be less effective and, often, worse than the previous ones.
Social change and social contradictions
Social changes in society have a variety of forms manifestations:
● in ways of accumulating, storing and transferring the experience of previous generations;
● in the methods of production of goods and services necessary to maintain the life of members of society;
● in the social class and professional structure of society;
● in the dynamism of social norms and values that regulate processes in society;
● in the nature of relationships between individuals and numerous social groups and social institutions.
Particular difficulties arise in the relationship between the individual and society when there is a dynamic transformation social relations, that is, a radical change in norms and values in all spheres of society over a short period of time. Such processes, for example, were especially pronounced in the new states created on the territory of the former Soviet Union immediately after its collapse. Social changes in the prevailing conditions inevitably accompanied complex and intractable problems. contradictions , which still make themselves felt at the present time.
Social contradictions- this is a clash between the interests and goals of individuals, various social groups and society as a whole. Contradictions tend to accumulate and intensify if they are not addressed in a timely manner. In this case, there will be social conflicts which can lead to destabilization of social relations.
In social systems of a transitional type, in conditions of intensive transformation of socio-economic and political transformations of social relations, contradictions are complex and highly dynamic.
For example, data from questionnaire surveys of the population of one of the regional cities of Belarus showed that respondents' assessments of the main social problems over the past decades are far from unambiguously distributed. Below are the results of comparative studies that were conducted with the participation of the author on a representative sample in 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005.
In 1980, among the most significant issues requiring immediate resolution, respondents named "housing construction" in first place. This was the opinion of 62% of the respondents. Further, the unresolved problems in the city were ranked in the following order: “improving the supply of food products” (51%), developing urban transport” (46%), “combating drunkenness, hooliganism and other antisocial phenomena” (42%). Other problems listed in the questionnaire turned out to be less relevant for the respondents.
Five years later, in 1985, the following became especially important for the residents of the city: “housing construction” (73%), “fighting drunkenness, hooliganism and other antisocial phenomena” (52%), “improving the work of medical institutions” (52%), "Improving the supply of food products" (37%) and "Increasing the range of industrial products" (35%).
The responses of 1990 became characteristic of their period. Respondents named “improving the supply of food products” (87%) and increasing the range of manufactured goods” (79%) as the top priority problems. “Housing construction” (67%), “improving the work of medical institutions” (48%) and “combating drunkenness, hooliganism, and other antisocial phenomena” (30%) remained topical.
The responses of 1995 differ sharply from traditional assessments. The problem of "the fight against drunkenness, hooliganism and other antisocial phenomena" comes out in the public opinion of the city's population in first place (73%). Moreover, the emphasis, apparently, was placed on the last part of this factor, which includes the fight against crime. The respondents at that time were very worried about “improving the work of medical institutions” (71%), “housing construction” (70%) and again “development of urban transport” (55%). In 1985 and 1990 last problem only 18 and 15% of the city's residents, respectively, were concerned.
The data of a survey conducted in 2000 are ranked in a different sequence: “improving the work of medical institutions” (91%), “combating drunkenness, hooliganism and other antisocial phenomena” (80%), “housing construction” (74%), “ urban transport development” (64%).
A noticeable positive trend is found in the responses of 2005: “improving the work of medical institutions” (73%), “fighting drunkenness, hooliganism and other antisocial phenomena” (44%), “housing construction” (51%), “development of urban transport” (44%).
In the context of continuous changes in society, it becomes more difficult adaptation specific individuals to new, rapidly changing conditions and principles of life. The problem of social choice constantly arises, which manifests itself in relief when an individual tries on new social roles, that is, such stereotypes of behavior that correspond to the expectations of society in relation to the bearers of specific social functions. The majority of the population is unable to adapt to social roles that are unusual for them (for example, an entrepreneur, a farmer, etc.). To master these roles, and they are often the opposite of those to which people have been "trained" from childhood, a certain social flexibility And dexterity .
Not everyone manages to find themselves, their "I" in this situation. It is especially difficult for generations middle age. Hence their desire to restore (reanimate) the former social norms, that is, such regulations behavior and such forms of social control that would compensate for the lack of individual activity and personal abilities to adapt to new values.
The choice of ideals, adaptation to non-traditional social roles, the assimilation of new norms and values can be seen as a continuous personality socialization or more precisely, her resocialization. That is, this process is connected not so much with the upbringing of the personality, but with its “re-education”. It affects the interests of all members of society, regardless of age and social position and requires a comprehensive sociological analysis.
That's why it's so important information I about positive changes and ongoing activities aimed at eliminating contradictions in the social development of each particular locality. The data of sociological research here can occupy an exceptionally important place.
Levels of social development of society
social development society, that is, irreversible changes in the direction of a qualitatively new state of its structure and functions, or, in other words, it is the progressive movement of society from lower forms to a higher level .
Society may experience an accelerated improvement or, conversely, it may contain degradation And destruction . There are various levels (stages) development of society
1. Formation social system. Typically after turning point historical events such as revolutions, wars, deep economic crises. Such processes are usually accompanied by:
● changes in social norms and values that govern relations in society;
● formation of new social institutions;
● transition to a system of other public relations.
2. Progress society, that is, its transfer to a more perfect state. For this purpose, they are used reforms aimed at changing the social structure of society and more effective interaction between the constituent elements. Such processes are often accompanied by:
● contradictions between interests, views, ideas that determine the possible ways of development of society;
● resistance of social groups and strata of society, whose interests are not taken into account in the reforms;
● skepticism of the conservative part of society, which always raises doubts about everything new.
3. Reproduction social relations in the traditional state that has developed in previous years. The main task is to keep society in its original state. This conservative approach to the social process, focused on stagnation in public relations. Here, two opposite tendencies appear in social processes:
● striving to preserve the existing social system;
● attempts to change it, transfer it to the regime of reforms or revolutions.
If the first trend is supported by those who have already achieved some success in the current social conditions, then the second option is initiated by those sections of society for which there are no prospects for improving their position within the current system.
4. Decay social system is a process of gradual or revolutionary destruction of the social system associated with the crisis of power and its inability to eliminate emerging contradictions :
In such a society, social groups interact, which have different, often opposing interests. Therefore, there are always situations that give rise to social tension. Some are satisfied with the society in which they live. So they try to keep it. Others try to improve it without changing the basics. Still others seek to destroy the social system, replacing it with a more profitable one for them.
Correlation of reforms and revolutions
In accordance with the positions listed above in relation to society, there are three, hardly compatible with each other positions:
1. Conservative approach (from lat conserver: to preserve, protect) - agreement with the prevailing social relations. Society is accepted as it is. They don't want to change it.
2. Reformist approach (from lat. reformare: to transform, correct) - the desire to partially change society, slightly correct it, using reforms. The ruling groups tend to reform, making concessions to the masses in order to maintain their leading position in society.
3. Revolutionary approach (from lat. revolution: turn, coup) - associated with the desire for a radical, radical change in social relations with the help of revolution. It manifests itself in the demand for the destruction of the old social system and its replacement with new ones. public relations more in line with the interests of those social groups that, under the previous conditions, were among the oppressed.
Social revolution, Unlike reforms - this is a sharp change in the social system, an abrupt transition to new social relations. It is accompanied by an open clash of forces in power, but losing their privileged position, with social groups that are not satisfied with their position in society.
On the eve of social revolutions, the contradictions become extremely aggravated:
● centrifugal tendencies begin to prevail over integration processes;
● decisions taken by the authorities are sabotaged and not implemented;
● the discontent of the masses sharply increases;
● slogans aimed at destruction rather than creation become popular;
● new, charismatic personalities appear who use the discontent of the masses for their own coming to power.
Social revolutions arise as a result of the impact of a complex set of economic, political, psychological, etc. conditions and factors. In science, there are different points of view on causes of revolutions.
For instance, K. Marx believed that revolutions occur as a result of the aggravation of contradictions between the productive forces and production relations. V. Lenin supplemented this conclusion with the necessity of a revolutionary situation: the crisis of the “tops” who cannot govern “the old way” and the impoverishment of the “lower classes” who do not want to live “the old way”.
Renowned sociologist P. Sorokin considered the reason for social revolutions the impossibility of satisfying the "basic instincts" of most people. He attributed to them: the need for food, clothing, housing, self-preservation, procreation, as well as freedom, self-expression, competitiveness and creative activity.
Many contemporary authors , the causes of revolutions are explained by the desire of people for equality and associated with this complex social contradictions, which often acquire an antagonistic character.
The inevitable destructive consequences of social revolutions for society are undesirable. Most expedient evolutionary path social change. He suggests:
● stage-by-stage reform of the social system in the direction of increasing the stability and efficiency of functioning;
● gradual implementation of transformations in society under control state institutions;
● striving to resolve sensitive issues democratically (at referendums or through nationwide condemnation;
● constitutional ban on calls for the violent overthrow of the existing system.
All this together seems to be the mildest and most effective way to eliminate social contradictions in society, aimed at creation, not destruction.
Control questions and practical tasks
1. Social changes in society and global changes in the world. The main forms of manifestation of social changes.
2. The inevitability of social contradictions in the conditions of social transformation of society.
3. What is a “crisis of social roles”? What are the reasons for it?
4. Signs and main features of the social development of society. Levels (stages) of development of society.
5. What are the characteristics of the formation of a social system?
6. Features of the progressive version of the development of society.
7. What tendencies dominate in the reproduction of social relations?
8. What factors can be associated with the collapse of the social system?
9. Three points of view on the development of society:
9.1. Features of the conservative position. Who is her supporter?
9.2. On what principles and what social groups is the position of conservatism based?
9.3. In what cases is it manifested and what causes revolutionary changes in society?
10. What is a social revolution? How does it relate to reforms?
12. Advantages of the evolutionary way of development of society.
Additional Reading for Chapter 4
Dmitrieva E.V. From the sociology of medicine to the sociology of health Sociological Research, 2003, No. 11.
Muzdybaev K. Optimism and pessimism of personality // Sociological researches, 2003, № 12.
Naumenko T.V. Sociology of Mass Communications in the Structure of Sociological Knowledge // Sociological Research, 2003, No. 9.
Nechaev V.Ya. Institutionalization as a Phenomenon and Category of Sociology // VMU, Series 18, 2001, No. 3.
Rotman D.G., Veremeeva N.P., Levitskaya I.V., Pravadivets V.V. Belarusian version of charisma // Sociological research, 2003, No. 3.
Samsonova M.N. Political socialization of Russian schoolchildren // VMU, series 18, 2001, No. 3.
Key Concepts: social change and social revolutions; levels and directions of development of society; conservative, reformist, revolutionary approaches to the transformation of society; the ratio of reforms and revolutions, the causes of social revolutions.
Numerous, relatively independent social objects and processes that make up society as a structurally complex and dynamic social system are constantly changing. social change is the transition of society or its constituent structural elements from one state to another. They are an inevitable and obligatory feature of any society.
Encourage society to move forward social contradictions . However, if they are not addressed in a timely manner, social revolution, that is, a deep and prolonged crisis in all areas public life. After a revolution, a painful process usually sets in, the formation of new social relations, which often turn out to be less effective and, often, worse than the previous ones.
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Shikun A.I.
Fundamentals of sociology: an electronic manual for university students / Brest. state un-t im. A.S. Pushkin. - Brest: BrGU, 2009. - 133 p. The main
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Key concepts: sociology as a science of social systems; prerequisites for the emergence of sociology; stages and trends in the development of sociology; modern theories:
Prerequisites for the emergence of sociology
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Stages of development of sociological science
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Object, subject and levels of sociological knowledge
Key concepts: object, subject and categories of sociology; social, public, societal; functions and levels of sociological knowledge; fundamental social
Functions and specifics of sociology as a science
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Levels of sociological knowledge
In accordance with the various levels of organization and functioning of society, the main levels of sociology are distinguished: 1) macrosociology
The concept of society in sociological science
Key concepts: society as an object of sociology; social systems; social communities, mass and group communities; typology and spheres of social life; from
Society is an object of sociological knowledge
Allocate the main theoretical approaches to the concept of "society": 1. It is a stable, cultural and historical form of organization of life
The main types and spheres of society
The typology of society can be defined on a variety of grounds. For example, in the social sciences and humanities, types of society are often distinguished, corresponding to
Social groups and social stratification
Key concepts: social groups and social stratification; social structure; signs of social groups; typology of groups, large and small groups; view
Social groups in the structure of society
Social structure (from Latin structura: structure) is a set of elements that make up a social system, as well as connections, relationships, interactions between them.
Typology of social groups
The social structure includes various group communities of people: 1. Social classes and social strata
Types and forms of social stratification
Modern theories of social stratification consider society as a hierarchical structure, at the top of which are privileged strata (layers
National-ethnic and racial differences
Key concepts: ethnic structure, national-ethnic groups; nation, nationality, ethnos; ethnic minorities; pluralistic societies, national
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Key concepts: social activity; social organizations and social institutions; subjects and objects social activities; signs of organizations
Subjects and objects of social activity
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Signs and types of social organizations
Social organizations have a number of common features, among which the following main ones can be distinguished: 1) the ordered state of a particular social
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Key concepts: family and life; relationship, marriage; forms of marriage; social functions families; stages of family development; role relationships in family; principles of regulation
Concepts of family and marriage
The basis of any family is the marriage union between a man and a woman. This union in modern society, as a rule, is sanctioned by society (the state). However, family is not
Social functions and types of the modern family
The role and place of the family in society social institution can be expressed through the functions of the family, which reflect the system of interaction between individuals, families, societies
Role relationships and family structure
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Life and lifestyle in modern society
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Healthy lifestyle
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Key concepts: education and culture; sociology of education; economic, social, cultural functions of education; levels of education; features of education in ra
Functions and levels of education
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Public opinion and the media
Key concepts: public opinion, object and subject of public opinion; functions of public opinion; the subject of the sociology of public opinion; mass media
The concept and structure of public opinion
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Features of the functioning of public opinion
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Media typology
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Social process management
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Social process as an object of control
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Structure of social management
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Principles and functions of management
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Social interaction and social relations
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Types and forms of social interaction
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Communication in social interaction
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Types of social communication
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Personality as an object and subject of social relations
Key concepts: the concepts of "person", "individual", "personality"; personality as an object and subject of social relations; socialization and individualization of the individual
Personality in the system of social relations
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Stages of personality socialization
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Sociological theories of education
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Social status and social roles of the individual
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Labor as a form of social interaction
Key concepts: labor and labor activity; sociology of labor; labor structure; content, forms and nature of labor; division of labor; types and working conditions; incentives to work
Structure and functions of labor
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Social problems of labor activity
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Social conflicts, ways to resolve them
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Types and forms of social conflicts
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Causes and ways to overcome conflicts
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Social change and social contradictions
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Correlation of reforms and revolutions
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Methodological approaches to sociological research
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Types and forms of sociological research
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Structure and functions of the research program
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Justification of the research problem
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Definition of the object and subject of research
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Formulation of the goals and objectives of the study
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Designing research hypotheses
Comprehending the possible (expected) conclusions from the ongoing research, the sociologist constructs research hypotheses that should precede any
Interpretation of basic concepts
Necessary condition study of any social object is the interpretation of the basic, concepts used in the study. The interpretation of concepts is
Methods and procedures for studying social objects
Key concepts: sociological data, information, method; methods of collecting information; study sample, general and sample population; representative
Determination of information collection methods
Using the most effective methods collecting information is the most important condition for the successful conduct of research in each case. Information collection methods
Definition of information processing methods
After information is collected, it is processed. This stage is quite laborious, requires the use of technical means and special techniques. It largely depends on
Analysis and synthesis of information
After processing the collected data, the most difficult and crucial stage begins: the analysis and generalization of information. Analysis
Planning Social Experiments
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What is a study sample? Specify the relationship between the concepts of "general population" and "sample population"
9. What are the main types of sampling used in sociological research? 10. What data is needed to form a sampling frame?
Organization of sociological research
Key concepts: research organization; basic organizational principles of work; strategic research plan, types strategic plan;
Principles and ways of organizing research
Organization of activities research group(its management) is carried out taking into account the most general organizational principles set out below:
Schedule and stages of the study
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Staffing of the research process
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Test on the topic “Society. Society and nature. Spheres of public life»
1. Find in the list below the provisions that can serve as definitions of the concept of "society". Write down the numbers under which they are indicated.
1) a group of people united for joint activities and communication
2) a certain stage historical development humanity
3) the entire material world as a whole
4) the totality of all peoples inhabiting our planet
5) stable stereotypes of human behavior
6) the results of the material-transforming activities of people
2. Are the following judgments about the relationship between society and nature correct?
A. Nature is one of the components of society as a system.
B. The impact of society on nature always leads to negative consequences.
4) both judgments are wrong
3. Write down the word missing in the diagram:
The main areas of public life
economic ……………… political spiritual
4. The elements of the spiritual sphere of the life of society include:
1) classes, social groups 2) political parties 3) morality 4) labor force
5. Establish a correspondence between the spheres of society and their institutions (organizations): for each position given in the first column, select the appropriate position from the second column:
6. Are the following judgments about society correct?
A. Society is all of humanity in the past, present and future.
B. Society is a set of people united for the joint performance of any activity.
1) only A is true 2) only B is true 3) both judgments are correct 4) both judgments are wrong
7. Society in the narrow sense of the word is:
1) a certain stage in the development of mankind
2) part environment which is man-made
3) a set of elements of animate and inanimate nature
8. Are the following judgments about society correct?
A. Society is all of humanity in the past, present and perspective.
B. Society is a collection of people united for the joint performance of any activity.
1) only A is true 2) only B is true 3) both judgments are correct 4) both judgments are wrong
9. Give an example of the negative consequences of society's impact on nature:
1) massive deforestation 2) production of "environmentally friendly" cars
3) limiting the export of natural resources
4) the use of technologies to reduce the emission of harmful substances
10. Are the following judgments about the relationship between nature and society correct?
A. Nature is part of society.
B. Society, influencing nature, causes some damage to it, the same can be said about the influence of nature on society.
1) only A is true 2) only B is true 3) both judgments are true4) both judgments are wrong
11. Foundation economic sphere the life of society is:
1) regulation of social relations
2) production wealth
3) development of resource-saving technologies
4) interaction between the state and associations of entrepreneurs
12. Choose the correct judgments about the spheres of society and write the numbers under which they are indicated.
1) The basic human needs serve as the basis for delimiting the spheres of public life
2) The basis for delimiting the spheres of public life are social norms
3) The main spheres of society's life are quite autonomous and at the same time are inextricably linked
4) Changes in one area of public life do not affect other areas and society as a whole
Answer: 13
13. Use three examples to reveal the influence of the spiritual sphere on the development of society
1) The adoption of Christianity in Russia contributed to the strengthening of the grand ducal power
2) Enlightenment ideas prepared social upheaval(French revolution of the 18th century), etc.
14. Nature, as opposed to society
1) is influenced by human activity
2) is a human habitat
3) changes in the direction from lower to higher
4) able to develop independently of a person
Society as a system. Public relations.
1. What trait does not apply to society as a system?
1) alternative development
2) incomplete development
3) unpredictability of development
4) static development
2. The following does not apply to public relations:
1) preparation of documents for employment
2) walk through the forest with a dog
3) holding a strike by employees of the enterprise
4) carrying out election campaigning by a candidate for deputies
3. The elements of society as a system include:
1) fertile soils
2) productive forces
3) natural environment
4) climatic features country
4. Choose the correct judgments about society and indicate the numbers under which they are indicated:
1) Society is characterized by absolute arbitrariness and uncontrollability
2) Society is inherent in the absence of competition of interests and aspirations
3) Society is the social organization of the country
4) Society is the social organization of a tribe, nationality, nation.
Answer: 34
5. What is the meaning of social scientists in the concept of "public relations"?
Drawing on the knowledge of the social science course, make two sentences: one sentence containing information about the types of social relations, and one sentence revealing ways to change social relations.
Answer:
1) Public relations are diverse connections that arise between social groups and within them in the process of practical and spiritual activities of people.
2) Public relations are divided into material and spiritual
3) Social relations can be changed in a revolutionary way, or in the course of evolution, modernization, etc.
6. You are instructed to prepare a detailed answer on the topic "Society as a joint life of people." Make a plan, according to which you will cover this topic. The plan must contain at least three points, of which two or more are detailed in sub-points.
1. The concept of society
1) in a broad sense
2) in the narrow sense of the word
2. Conditions for the emergence of society.
3. The main functions of the society:
1) production of material goods and services
2) distribution of products of labor
3) regulation of activities and behavior
4) reproduction and socialization
5) development of the spiritual sphere
4. The main areas of public life:
1) political 2) economic 3) social 4) spiritual
5. Public relations:
1) material
2) spiritual
6. The main features of society as a system:
7. The sciences that study society do not include:
1) sociology 2) philosophy 3) cultural studies 4) genetics
8. The sources of self-development of society in the future should not include:
1) the interaction of society and nature
2) development of the spiritual sphere towards the ideal
3) the use of technology and new information opportunities in order to improve human existence
4) self-development of the technosphere and artificial reality, which radically changes the status of a person.
9. Which of the signs characterizes society as a system?
1) continuous development
2) part of the material world
3) isolation from nature
4) people interaction
10. The dynamic nature of society as a system is manifested in:
1) changing stages of historical development
2) the presence of elements and subsystems
3) social stratification
4) sustainability of the main institutions
11. "Second nature" is called:
1) biosphere 2) society 3) activity 4) culture
12. And society and nature -
1) enter the biosphere
2) obey the general laws of development
3) act as objects of study in social science
4) are dynamic systems
In society, the most commonly used term is social development. It denotes any improvements that bring positive results. However, there are also social changes that have a generally neutral effect. They do not contain evaluation component. That is, social development is certain processes that have a positive result. Changes are quite neutral. They just happen because of something. historical processes.
Social change can be divided into several levels. Let's consider them all. Short-term changes occur in a short time frame. For example, it may be the organizational restructuring of the authorities. Long-term changes take a long time to implement. For example, it can be a restructuring of the mores, norms or traditions of people.
There are also partial social changes. Them distinctive feature is that they affect only certain segments of reality. For example, it can be a restructuring of the industry or the system higher education. There are also changes regarding most
The changes under consideration affect, first of all, various, in particular, groups and communities, certain processes, organizations. Social change can occur at the level of interpersonal relationships. For example, the functions and structure of the family are changing. Restructuring can also take place at the level of various institutions and organizations. For example, social change may affect education and science. Restructuring is taking place at the level of small and large groups. In particular, the structure of the working class is being modified, new ones appear. Restructuring can take place at the global level. For example, this can include environmental threats, migration processes.
Social change can be divided into four categories. They are determined on the basis of which particular area is undergoing restructuring. Let's look at all four categories.
There are structural social changes. For example, they may relate to the family institution. Interpersonal relationships can change towards monogamy or polygamy, large families or small families. Perestroika can also concern professional groups, the nation, the structure of power and management, and society as a whole. These include changes affecting science, the education system, and religion.
Restructuring can also occur in any That is, relating to the relationship between different societies, individuals, institutions and structures. For example, in the field of equality, solidarity, subordination, tolerance and so on.
Functional changes affect functions various organizations, systems and institutions. In this way, new functions may arise, or old ones may be improved. Let's consider a simple example. In connection with the new Constitution of the Russian Federation, the functions of the legislative and executive authorities have changed significantly.
Perestroika also affects the spiritual spheres. In particular, the structure of motivation for collective and individual activities may change. Perestroika affects the values, norms, goals, ideals of people. For example, during the transition to a market economy, the motivational structure of society has changed significantly. The signal for activity is personal cash earnings, enrichment, climbing the career ladder. Such changes affect the thoughts, values, worldviews and norms of large social groups.
Before considering the mechanism of changing social relations, it is necessary to briefly touch upon the question of the structure of social relations - cells public relations. At a minimum, it consists of two subjects, potential or real interaction between them, as well as an object to which their interests are directed (Fig. 8). If we reveal the content of the interaction between the subjects, then it will be reduced to the statuses (positions) of the subjects relative to each other and/or the actions of one or both of them, aimed at satisfying the interest. Action (behavior) is divided into elements of an objective (external, physical) and subjective (internal, psychological) character.
Rice. 8.
Take, for example, labor relations in a market economy. The subjects are an employee and an entrepreneur. The interaction between them is the rights and obligations of each relating to the labor process, wages, social guarantees, etc. The object of interest is labor and its equivalent (wage). All these elements are very significant for these two individuals, and also greater value they acquire on a social scale, when it is not about two subjects, but about an "army of hired workers" and an "army of entrepreneurs."
Here it is time to turn to Marx's "Capital", but we will confine ourselves to the more modest task of analyzing the mechanisms of the emerging conflict.
In what part of this structure can its deformation begin? For what reason? These questions cannot be answered unambiguously. In essence, a change in the relationship between two subjects can begin with any element: goals, motives for behavior, external actions, interests, as well as with attendant circumstances (such as, for example, the environment for the interaction of subjects, the actions of third forces). It is all the more difficult to determine in theoretical reasoning the initial moment of deformation of social relations as a mass, social phenomenon, especially when you consider that in different areas of life, these changes can have different causes.
So, labor relations can be violated due to failure by one of the subjects of their duties. A common cause of labor conflicts in our time are factors external to production: rising prices, poor living conditions, national tension, etc. All of them can cause changes in requirements for employers, lead to strikes and other actions. Instead of the harmonious labor relations of the past, although they concealed deep social disadvantage, we are now dealing with direct conflicts at work, fraught with further economic collapse.
And yet, the following can be said about the mechanism of deformation of social relations in general. Firstly, social relations are more stable than social values, and in order to change them, much more weighty ones are needed. objective reasons. This explains the relative stability of social (class, national, group, etc.) ties in society compared, for example, with social preferences, moods, fashion, etc.
Secondly, changes in social relations, as we shall see later, most often follow changes in other elements of social life. Strikes, interethnic conflicts, armed clashes do not start, but complete the process of social tension in the city, region, region. And the very intensity of changes in social relations reflects the nature and depth of deformations in the elements discussed above: value orientations, institutions, norms. It can apparently be said that social relations are deformed the more, the more seriously the value orientations in certain segments of the population are distorted, the less effective the social norms and institutions that operate in the sphere of people's relationships.
Analysis of changes in social relations in last years made by sociologists repeatedly. The most obvious changes are in interethnic relations. It is known that during periods of crisis, some interethnic processes take on a social connotation. This is what began to characterize the state of affairs in a number of regions of the country. The "parade of sovereignties" led to the opposition of the local and central leadership, people of different nationalities and religions, to the incitement of ethnic discord and conflicts. Needless to say, the thesis about "friendship of the peoples of the USSR" turned out to be untenable; the principles of internationalism were replaced by clear manifestations of nationalism and great-power chauvinism.
At the same time, socio-psychological studies have shown that many negative processes and manifestations in the sphere of interethnic relations pretty superficial. As a result of the elections in The Supreme Council of the RSFSR in February 1990 and the People's Deputies of the USSR in 1989, supporters of the "national-patriotic bloc" gained an average of 2-4% of the votes. "Sovereign" types of mass consciousness, according to experts, have an impact on about 20% of the population of Russia. According to the same data, about 14% of respondents expressed a positive attitude towards the “Memory” society. When it comes to everyday, everyday connections and relationships of people at the interpersonal level, nationalistic manifestations recede into the background, traditional feelings of neighborhood, fellowship, friendship, acquaintance, camaraderie take over. This suggests that internationalism, as a feature of the psychology of the bulk of the population, has not been lost, but only clogged, deformed.
If we return to the list of types of social relations given in the previous paragraph, then in general we can say that during deformations there is a transition from relations of cooperation to conflicts, confrontation, struggle. Ultimately, there is a rupture of social relations, their atomization. And the collapse of social ties is already sure sign deep crisis in society.
- See: Deepening social disintegration in 1990 ... S. 33 et seq.