Dynamics of social differentiation of the population of cities in the south of Western Siberia based on census data (late 19th – early 20th century)

The object of our local historical study was the totality of the urban population of the south of Western Siberia, the subject – the patterns and forms of social differentiation of the population of Omsk, Petropavlovsk, Semipalatinsk, Pavlodar, Biysk and Ust-Kamenogorsk. These cities had a single history of origin in the border area. The author relied on the concept of limology, which focuses on the study of border territories and processes. The territorial scope of the study is limited to the south of Western Siberia, including the south of Tomsk province (Altai Krai), the territory of the Steppe General Governorate with its center in Omsk together with the Akmola and Semipalatinsk regions. The purpose of the study was to analyze the forms of social differentiation of the population of cities in the south of Western Siberia in the chronological framework of the end of the 19th century – the first third of the 20th century and to identify patterns. Research methodology: historical methods are combined with microsociological methods. This allowed us to study the population of cities through the analysis of statistical census data. Systemic, comparative-historical, statistical research methods were used, which allowed us to comprehensively study the stated topic, classify and process data with the calculation of absolute and relative values, average values, using demographic indicators. The novelty of the study lies in the consideration of the functional, rank, differentiation of the population of the cities under study. The tables present an analysis of the forms of social differentiation of the population of cities in the south of Western Siberia, and revealed the level of its activity. The average salary of different professional spheres is discussed and the leveling of wages is noted to reduce the differentiation of the population.

social differentiation, functional differentiation, rank differentiation, Western Siberia, city, Omsk, Petropavlovsk, Semipalatinsk, Biysk, Ust-Kamenogorsk