Sociologists in Italy Between Cultural and Normative Legitimization. The Failed Construction of a Community of Practice

The profession of sociologist in Italy has undergone the same ups and downs as the development of the discipline, which since its institutionalisation (which came very late) has always had to fight for autonomy and the search for legitimate recognition as a science within the wider world of social sciences (economics, political science, etc.). This has produced two conditions that have not favoured the construction of a real community of practice of sociologists: on the one hand, a scarce or total lack of cultural legitimization for the the work of the sociologist that is a consequence of a sociology perpetually in crisis and in search of political recognition and influence that has never been achieved; on the other hand, the separation between academic sociologists and professional sociologists which has resulted, for the former, in the analysis, explanation and interpretation (on the basis of different disciplinary paradigms) of sociocultural processes and changes in society, without any real direct involvement (theoretical sociology), while for the latter, in the comparison, measurement, evaluation of observable processes in the context of the social reality of which one is a part (applied sociology). This article focuses on the 'lights' and 'shadows' of the professional development of sociologists in Italy, starting from the assumption, however, that a regulatory legitimization can never be complete unless a cultural legitimization and recognition is achieved that can consolidate a professional identity that allows differentiation with other 'neighbouring' professions.