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This Is Not Allowed in the Mountains: The Multiplicity of Normative Systems in North Ossetia

EDN: YNBDXY

Abstract

   The purpose of the study is to identify the elements and characteristics of the interaction of Brian Tamanaha’s normative systems for a more detailed analysis of the intersection of social orders.

   The research uses interviews collected during two expeditions to North Ossetia. Based on the results of coding interviews collected by the authors in August 2023 and October 2024, the authors identified elements and patterns of interaction between normative systems. These systems include elements such as the declared norms, their sources, institutions for the implementation of norms, attitudes towards them, and the procedure for their implementation in practice. Many elements occur in several systems at the same time, intersect with each other, creating a complex network of regulatory systems. The boundaries between regulatory systems can be strict and lax. In the first case, there is a clear understanding that a specific normative system is applied in a certain situation and no other. If the boundaries are not strict, it is possible to refer to two or more regulatory systems. Even strict boundaries between regulatory systems are dynamic and can change over time and depending on the subject of their application. In places where regulatory systems intersect or have strict boundaries, various forms of their interaction are possible. The institution of implementing the norms of one system can comply with the norms of another, even if these norms are in conflict. Or, on the contrary, institutions of different regulatory systems may compete for the right to implement their own norms.

About the Authors

P. M. Osipova
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Russian Federation

Polina M. Osipova, Junior Researcher Fellow

Sports Research Laboratory

Moscow

Research interests: common knowledge of law, law mobilization, sociology of sports



V. D. Churakov
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Russian Federation

Vladimir D. Churakov, Candidate of Sciences (PhD) in Law, Research Fellow

Faculty of Law; Institute of National and Comparative Legal Studies

Moscow

Research interests: Law&Economics, efficiency of legal regulation, regulatory politics, sociology of law



S. V. Vinogradov
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Russian Federation

Sergey V. Vinogradov, Lecturer, Research Assistant

School of Theory of Law and Comparative Law; Centre for Basic Research; Laboratory for Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Projects

Moscow

Research interests: history of 20th century political and legal thought, analytical philosophy of law, contemporary theories of justice



O. D. Pyrsikov
National Research University Higher School of Economics
Russian Federation

Oleg D. Pyrsikov, master’s student “Politics. Economy. Philosophy”

Faculty of Social Sciences

Moscow



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Review

For citations:


Osipova P.M., Churakov V.D., Vinogradov S.V., Pyrsikov O.D. This Is Not Allowed in the Mountains: The Multiplicity of Normative Systems in North Ossetia. Sociology of Power. 2025;37(4):215-248. (In Russ.) EDN: YNBDXY

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ISSN 2074-0492 (Print)
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