The theory of network society in the system of social science

This article analyses the key features of the network society, as well as distinctive characteristics of the social and political communication in the context of its formation and development. The authors discuss the main theoretical approaches to the understanding of the modern society as the network one (conceptions of S. Braten, M. Castells, Jan van Dijk, and others). The authors emphasize the role of the social networks as a special communication tool, transforming almost all the process of information exchange, as well as directly affecting the social structure of the modern society.