Durkheim followed one central question during his writings, namely the search for the “bonds which unite men one with another” (Durkheim, 1888: 257). Especially Durkheim’s early works are concerned in this respect with the forms of ‘solidarité’ that are specific for pre-industrial or lower societies in contrast to the ongoing industrialised or organised kind of community.
In the ‘Division of Labour’, Durkheim arrives at a rather pessimistic account of modern, industrial society: although under ‘normal circumstances’ the division of labour leads to a harmonious society bound together by solidarity, our current form of industrial organisation is in an “appaling crisis” (ibd.: 339) composed of “organs that still clash discordantly together” (ibd.: 340).
It is this account Durkheim gives of solidarity in the modern society that can be criticised substantially. The following essay will therefore consist of an analysis of his line of thought that leads him from early societies bound together by what he calls ‘mechanical solidarity’ based on similarities, to the notion of ‘organic solidarity’ in the ‘contractual society’. Especially his optimistic, evolutionary account of the development of solidarity, his use of empirical data and finally his idealised notion of society are possible points of doubt as will be shown.
The concluding remarks will lift Durkheim’s analysis from the early 20th Century to a contemporary account trying to extend it with Foucault’s ‘penal society’.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Mechanical and Organic Solidarity
- Critique of Durkheim's Account of Organic Solidarity
- Negative Effects of Interdependencies
- Durkheim's Methodology
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay provides a critical assessment of Emile Durkheim's theory of organic solidarity in a contractual society. It examines his transition from mechanical solidarity in pre-industrial societies to organic solidarity in modern industrial societies, analyzing his arguments and methodology.
- The contrast between mechanical and organic solidarity
- The role of the division of labor in shaping social solidarity
- Critique of Durkheim's optimistic view of organic solidarity
- Analysis of Durkheim's methodology, focusing on his use of legal codes
- The implications of interdependencies in modern society
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for a critical analysis of Durkheim's concept of organic solidarity. It highlights Durkheim's central concern with the bonds uniting individuals in society and introduces his pessimistic view of the crisis in modern industrial organization, contrasting it with the harmonious solidarity of pre-industrial societies. The essay outlines its plan to analyze Durkheim's progression from mechanical to organic solidarity, identifying potential weaknesses in his optimistic, evolutionary account, including his use of empirical data and idealized notion of society. Finally, it mentions the intention to extend Durkheim's analysis to a contemporary perspective.
Mechanical and Organic Solidarity: This section lays the groundwork for the critique by explaining Durkheim's concepts of mechanical and organic solidarity. It describes mechanical solidarity, prevalent in lower societies, as a solidarity based on similarities and a strong collective consciousness. In contrast, organic solidarity emerges in societies with a developed division of labor, where interdependence and exchange create social bonds. Durkheim argues that while both coexist, organic solidarity becomes more prominent in modern societies, even as the collective consciousness weakens. The chapter details how the division of labor leads to a contractual society, where individuals are more specialized and their bonds to society are indirect, relying more on mutual dependencies arising from their specialized roles. The discussion includes Durkheim's understanding of the division of labor as a universal phenomenon, present not just in industrial settings, but also in families and other social structures.
Critique of Durkheim's Account of Organic Solidarity: This section presents a critique of Durkheim's positive view of organic solidarity. It begins by questioning the inherent positivity of Durkheim's account and explores two key criticisms. First, it examines the potential negative consequences of the interdependencies created by the division of labor, contrasting the self-sufficiency of pre-industrial societies with the dependence on others in modern society. It acknowledges the benefits of variety and choice brought about by the division of labor and the emergence of a globalized world but underscores the potentially restrictive aspects of this dependence. Second, it critiques Durkheim's methodology, particularly his use of legal codes as objective indexes of social solidarity. The critique highlights the lack of justification for his links between law, society, and solidarity, pointing to a potential oversimplification in his mathematical approach to determining the dominant form of solidarity. The analysis scrutinizes Durkheim's comparison of Roman, Hebrew, and modern laws, arguing that his conclusion of the prevalence of organic solidarity in industrial society lacks sufficient empirical support.
Keywords
Mechanical solidarity, organic solidarity, division of labor, social solidarity, collective consciousness, contractual society, Durkheim, interdependence, legal codes, repressive law, restitutory law, modernity, pre-industrial society.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Critical Assessment of Emile Durkheim's Theory of Organic Solidarity
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a critical assessment of Emile Durkheim's theory of organic solidarity. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The document aims to analyze Durkheim's transition from mechanical solidarity to organic solidarity, examining his arguments, methodology, and potential weaknesses in his optimistic view.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The key themes include the contrast between mechanical and organic solidarity; the role of the division of labor in shaping social solidarity; a critique of Durkheim's optimistic view of organic solidarity; an analysis of Durkheim's methodology, particularly his use of legal codes; and the implications of interdependencies in modern society.
What is Durkheim's concept of mechanical solidarity?
Durkheim describes mechanical solidarity as prevalent in pre-industrial societies. It is characterized by strong collective consciousness and similarities among individuals, creating strong social bonds.
What is Durkheim's concept of organic solidarity?
Organic solidarity emerges in societies with a developed division of labor. Interdependence and exchange create social bonds, even as the collective consciousness weakens. This type of solidarity is characterized by indirect bonds based on mutual dependencies arising from specialized roles.
How does the division of labor relate to social solidarity according to Durkheim?
Durkheim argues that the division of labor is crucial in the shift from mechanical to organic solidarity. Increased specialization leads to interdependence and creates a contractual society where individuals are bound together through their specialized roles and mutual dependencies.
What is the critique of Durkheim's optimistic view of organic solidarity?
The critique questions the inherent positivity of Durkheim's account. It explores the potential negative consequences of interdependencies, such as dependence and potential restriction of individual freedoms, contrasting the self-sufficiency of pre-industrial societies with modern society's reliance on others. It also criticizes Durkheim's methodology, particularly his use of legal codes as objective indexes of social solidarity, suggesting an oversimplification in his approach.
What are the main criticisms of Durkheim's methodology?
The critique highlights the lack of justification for linking law, society, and solidarity directly. It points to a potential oversimplification in his mathematical approach to determining the dominant form of solidarity and argues that his comparison of Roman, Hebrew, and modern laws lacks sufficient empirical support for his conclusion about the prevalence of organic solidarity in industrial society.
What are the implications of interdependencies in modern society, as discussed in the essay?
The essay acknowledges the benefits of variety and choice brought about by the division of labor and globalization. However, it also underscores the potentially restrictive aspects of the dependence inherent in organic solidarity, contrasting it with the self-sufficiency of pre-industrial societies.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Mechanical solidarity, organic solidarity, division of labor, social solidarity, collective consciousness, contractual society, Durkheim, interdependence, legal codes, repressive law, restitutory law, modernity, pre-industrial society.
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- Johannes Lenhard (Autor), 2011, A Critical Account of Durkheim's Concept of Organic Solidarity, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/182786
