Middle-Range Norms and the Problem of Social Integration

• Main Author: Ariel Modrzyk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instytut Filozofii i Socjologii PAN, Komitet Socjologii PAN, Wydział Filozofii i Socjologii UW 2020-06-01
• Series: Studia Socjologiczne
• Subjects: food waste; community; social integration; norms; sociology of everyday life
• Online Access: http://journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/132461/edition/115730/content

The purpose of the article is to critically address the theories, which state that modern societies are not capable of integration based on universally shared norms. The thesis about the „disappearance of common meanings” creates an image of society as an aggregate of individuals or confl icted groups. To counter-balance such visions, the author proposes the concept of middle-range norms. It is argued that such norms can connect different social actors and be widely recognized. Shared normalcy can be negotiated in a bottom-up manner and not necessarily imposed in the top-down fashion by various forms of social power. The author finds examples of such norms in everyday life. They include the norm of not wasting food, the rule of hospitality, respect for mourning, care for children and concern with health.