The collective work examines the processes of marginalization of a number of social, ethnic and religious groups of Soviet society in the context of the transformation of Soviet domestic policy in the 1930–1950s. The essays reflect the main aspects characterizing the mechanisms of formation and evolution of such “shadow” elements of the social structure , as rear militias, special settlers, ethno-deportants, religious marginals, persons subjected to state inspection (“filters”), private entrepreneurs. The basics of life of these groups (social status, appearance, adaptation practices) are presented.