The Dynamics of a Social Turning Point Analytical Possibilities

Abstract

The period now being experienced by Soviet society is characterized by a profound breakdown of social structures, which is bringing to light the latent springs and mechanisms of the life of the social organism. Some of these "springs" become visible when they fail, others when they are set into motion (e.g., the group and personal components of social life). This complex period could be considered fruitful for an analysis of current processes, as well as for an understanding of the nature of social phenomena if our social science had sufficiently reliable instruments for investigating such situations.