Social Deviance and Political Marginality: Toward a Redefinition of the Relation between Sociology and Politics

Abstract

The traditional distinction between social problems and the political system is becoming obsolete. Behavior which in the past was perceived as social deviance is now assuming well-defined ideological and organizational contours; while political marginals are adopting a deviant life style. This merger of social deviance and political marginality creates a new style of politics, based on strategies that are traditionally considered illegitimate. The result of this trend is estimated to be an increase in the use of violence as a political tactic, and the development of a revolutionary potential among the expanding ranks of deviant sub-groups. In the light of such developments, sociology and political science must revise their theoretical formulations to take into account the merger of social deviance and political marginality.