The social structure in the former socialist countries: Transition or transformation?

Abstract

Research of the vertical dimension of social structure has always been a part of mainstream sociology. For instance, Collins Dictionary of Sociology contains over 30 pages on this area of sociological studies. It is the problem lots of sociologists have been interested in, the problem which has been followed with numerous disputes and discussions. Its practical importance is very big, too. A modern society does not include solely main political and economical institutions, like multiparty system, minority rights, the key role of market in economy, etc, but also a specific social structure (in its vertical dimension), with the absence of sharp lines between social strata, with a vast middle strata and the presence of intense social mobility. In agriculture this implies having farmers (as a part of the middle strata) instead of fragmented and disorganized peasantry. The author tries to answer the question whether in agriculture of the former socialist countries there have been transition or transformation. The latter includes the claim that the outcome is uncertain, contrary to the notion of "transition".

Keywords

• social structure
• transition
• transformation
• farmers
• peasantry
• the former socialist countries