[Path dependency, bifurcation points and the role of sociology. A sociological attempt at interpreting the corona crisisDépendance au sentier, points de bifurcation et le rôle de la sociologie. Une tentative d'interprétation sociologique de la crise du coronavirus].

The contribution begins by attempting to specify the corona crisis' essence and form by means of acceleration theory. In so doing, the diagnosis of a politically induced, objectively measurable deceleration is pivotal. In a second step, the social theoretical conclusions from this diagnosis are drawn in contrast to system theory on the one hand, and neomarxist approaches on the other. The focus is on the argument that the political reaction to SARS-CoV‑2 can neither be explained by reference to the principles of functional differentiation nor through the logic of securing political power or through capital accumulation. Following this line of thought, the article maps out the possibilities created by the crisis for societal path and system change, and outlines the role that sociology as a scientific discipline can and should play in this historical situation.