Emile Durkheim's "Division of Labor in
Society" is considered to be one of his most influential works regarding
the structure of society and makings of social solidarity. In "Division of
Labor in Society" Durkheim attempts to show how formations of labor
division serve to facilitate social interdependence and a sense of solidarity
in society. In a sense, Durkheim argues that the division of labor influences and
in fact creates the experience of being a part of society.
According to Durkheim the fact that different
people engage in different tasks and function creates a situation in which no
one is self-sustainable and therefore each and everyone in society is dependent
on other people.
Durkheim is especially concerned with the
manner in which the division of labor changes over time and across societies, changing
also the manner in which people feel they are a part of their group and their
view of society as a whole. For Durkheim societies in which the division of
labor is small (meaning everybody engages in similar activities) are characterized
as having "mechanical solidarity" which is relatively strong. Societies
with high division of labor (modern societie) are referred to by Durkheim as
having "organic solidarity" which has a weakening effect on
collective conscience. These different types of societies are characterized by
different types of laws, with mechanical solidarity enforced by repressive law
while organic solidarity being dependant on restitutive sanctions.
Although Durkheim's thesis in "Division
of Labor in Society" might seem to be economic in orientation, following
the lines of previous thought into the matter of the division of labor (like Adam
Smith or Karl Marx), or as a theory of social structure, it is in fact a theory
of empathy. According to Durkheim being engaged in similar tasks makes you feel
more connected with people and more able to have a sense of a shared fate. modernity,
which brings about a higher division of labor makes more indifferent to other
people that turn into functions rather than human counterparts.
see also a more detailed summary and analysis of "Division of Labor in Society" by Durkheim and Durkheim's Mechanical Solidarity and Organic Solidarity Explained
Suggested reading:
see also a more detailed summary and analysis of "Division of Labor in Society" by Durkheim and Durkheim's Mechanical Solidarity and Organic Solidarity Explained
Suggested reading:
