The Formation and Development of Sociological Associations in Russia

The article examines the process of the formation and development of professional associations of sociologists in Russia. The authors use collections of published archival materials and regulatory legal acts, ego documents (memoirs, diaries and letters) and studies pursued by Russian sociologists as sources. The ontological and epistemological prerequisites for the emergence and development of professional associations of sociologists are studied. We undertake an analysis of the institutionalization of the leading Russian sociological communities (M.M.Kovalevsky Russian Sociological Society, the Soviet Sociological Association, the Russian Society of Sociologists, as well as modern professional associations of sociologists). The history of their origin and formation, goals, objectives and results of their activity are discussed. The conclusion is made about the possibility of periodization of the genesis and functioning of Russian sociological associations.