Emile Durkheim: Social Solidarity

The Theory of Division of Labour

Social Solidarity- two types

» Mechanical Solidarity

» Organic Solidarity
• Mechanical Solidarity
– Solidarity of Resemblance
– Society is Coherent
– Not differentiated

• Organic Solidarity
– Coherent Unity
– Through differentiation
– Differentiation of Function and Structure
Two types of consciousness
– Collective consciousness- Mechanical Solidarity
– Individual Consciousness – Organic Solidarity

Collective Consciousness

• Primitive Societies
• Collective Consciousness
• Common Sentiments
• Social Traditions
• Severity of Punishments

Individual Consciousness

• Reduction of Collective Consciousness

• Weakening of collective reactions against violation
• Division of Labour

– Differentiation of Occupations

– Multiplication of Industrial Activities

– Social Differentiation taking priority

• Method of Studying Division Labour

– To Study Social Phenomenon objectively

– Division of Labour increased

– Mechanical solidarity decreased

– Cooperation between specialized functions

– Restrictive law, Administrative Law to maintain cooperative relation

Durkheim’s Concepts of Volume and Density

– Volume – Number of Individuals

– Density (Both Material and Moral)

– Material Density – Number of Individuals

– Moral Density (Intensity of Intercourse)

– Social Differentiation – Volume, Material and Moral Density

Social Differentiation – A Solution for Survival or Competition

– More Number of Individuals – Struggle for Survival

– Social differentiation – Peaceful solution for survival

– Each contributes in his peculiar way

Criticism

– Durkheim neglected class relations

– He depicted advanced division of labour

– He over estimated repressive Law in Pre-industrial society