Sociological Analysis of J.Hecker’s Monograph “Russian Sociology”

Abstract

The American sociologist J. Hecker’s sociolo­gical monograph "Russian sociology. Contribution to the history of sociological thought and theory” is analyzed in the article. The specifics of of consi­deration of Russian sociology’s schools and direc­tions in J.Hecker’s monograph is analyzed and the advantages and disadvantages of the American sociologist views are shown. The scientific goal of his work is to introduce to the Western reader the analysis of Russian sociology’s different schools and directions in historical context. For the first time in the history of sociology, will be published J. Hecker’s work translated by the author from English. American sociologist conducted a detailed, comprehensive analysis of the Russian sociology’s concepts and directions in the historical period under review. However, this analysis lacks author’s opinion, criticism or expression of consent to different methodological positions and approaches of Russian sociologists. The book presents many direct quotations from the works of Russian socio­logists without a specific analysis and evaluation by the American sociologist. However, one of the advantages of J. Hecker’s work is that it introduces Western sociologists and the international commu­nity the works and primary sources of Russian sociologists. Conscientiously studying the contents of the various movements, and in particular detail - the subjective school, American scientist came to the conclusion that in due of the fact that the connection of sociological theories of the political events and social life are extremely close, sociology as a science in Russia is not so much created by professionals type of theoretical knowledge but rather an expression of the positions of leaders of public opinion.

The main disadvantage of most sociological works in Russia, J. Hecker considers the narrow­ness of their problems (lack of a systemic ap­proach), because of which they largely lose their scientific value. In this context, we do not agree with his conclusion, and in support of this can be mentioned the integral theory developed on the basis of a three-person model for the formation of leadership qualities of managers, that prove the ur­gency and heuristic value of ideas of Russian socio­logists of the late XIX beginning XX centuries.