William Ogburn and the idea of cultural lag. The centenary of the hypothesis

Abstract

The article introduces the publication in Russian of selected sections of the book “Social Change, with Respect to Culture and Original Nature” (1922) by the American sociologist William F. Ogburn, in which the main provisions of the cultural lag hypothesis are out-lined. The milestones of Ogburn’s biography and scientific work are considered. It is shown that the cultural lag hypothesis has become the basis of a program of comprehensive studies of the social effects of technical inventions, which Ogburn has been implementing for several decades. The contribution of the cultural lag hypothesis to the social reflection of the phenomenon of technology is discussed, as well as the main directions of criticism of this concept.