Durkheim’s Concept of Anomia and Contemporary Social transformation

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the concept of anomy, that was introduced into scientific turnover by French sociologist E. Durkheim. It discusses genesis and functioningtoday’s anomalies: deviant behavior, alienation, etc. It includes analysis of the transitional societies in post-Soviet countries, social implications of their transition are described. The article contains a detailed analysis of the Belarusian anomaly field which involves the use of findings obtained in the course of sociological case studies. The concept of anomy is defined. The definition makes use of E. Durkheim’s basic framework, as well as the socio-philosophic, socio-psychological, socio-cultural, and socio-legal component. It is emphasized that to overcome the anomic state the society needs to first achieve sustainable dynamic development.