The phenomenon of marginality: possibilities of the normative-interpretative methodology

There is a growing interest in the phenomenon of marginality among the researchers of different fields of science in recent years. Such a situation is explained by the fact that the phenomenon of marginality is clearly revealed and shows itself in the societies undergoing various transformations and structural changes, which can be seen in modern Russia. Despite the large number of scientific works concerning marginality, there still are many gaps and problems with studying the process of this complicated phenomenon. The theoretical and methodological analysis of the studies of marginality has shown that they can be reduced to two general-scientific approaches: normative and interpretative. This situation is explained by the contradictory views on marginalized individuals and the society in the social interaction process, and the role of marginals in it as well. The normative approach takes the leading role mainly within the social science in researches of various aspects of the phenomenon of marginality. However, the possibilities of the normative approach are limited because it is unable to reveal the subjective constituent of this phenomenon. That is why it is also necessary to examine marginality by means of the interpretative approach in order to study the subjective world of marginals, their attitude to current events and social reality, i.e. to analyse interpretations of significant moments, situations and events. Commitment of researchers either to the normative or interpretative understanding of the essence of the phenomenon of marginality hampers the development of the comprehensive methodology that leads to difficulties in constructing a complete image of the studied phenomenon. Separately these approaches are able to reveal only specific aspects of the phenomenon due to the limited capacities of each of them. So, in the context of the normative approach the phenomenon of marginality includes the following: the interaction of the society and marginalized elements is determined by certain social control, as the marginal to some extent is a ''violator'' of some norms, rules and values prevailing in the society, imposed on everyone during the life. Thus, interpretations of current events and incoming information of marginals are insignificant; the meanings invested in the situation are ignored. Adherents of the interpretative paradigm rely on the properties of people's psychological and social nature. In the context of the interpretative approach marginality includes a continuous process of interpretation of its own identity, significant meanings and social situations. Both approaches reflect the different sides of the studied phenomenon which is objectively dual. Such a situation leads to a necessity of combining the potential of these paradigms. Therefore, the use of the complex normative-interpretative methodology developed by M.V. Romm, and based on the principle of complementarity of N. Bohr helps to overcome the narrowness of the normative and interpretative approaches, combining their potential and avoiding the one-sided understanding of the phenomenon of marginality. The normative-interpretative methodology provides the study of this phenomenon from the new side, as marginality combines two intertwined elements: the objective reality and the subjective world of marginalized individuals.

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