Organic Solidarity
Script error: No such module "Draft topics".
Script error: No such module "AfC topic".
Organic Solidarity is the idea that because of the substantial division of labor in modern society, solidarity comes from differences; that is, people need the contributions of an increasing number of people in order to function and even to survive. Emile Durkheim originated the term for his theory, organic solidarity,in his book The Division of Labour published in 1893. In order to have complete organic solidarity is the dynamic density, which is the size and growth of society,and the restituitive law, which is the progressive weakening of the collective conscience.[1]
Theoretical Background[edit]
Emile Durkheim first described the social cohesion particular to pre-industrial societies. This mechanical solidarity as he called it, the idea that primitive society, pre-modernity, is held together by the fact there is little division of labor, occurred when all members of a society performed the same or nearly the same tasks as all others in a society. If one person were to die and not be replaced, the society would not change, because all other members did exactly the same thing as the member that died. The collective conscience of a mechanical society is identical among all members, and the bond derives not from dependence on other individuals, but from the dependence on the total social system.[2]
Durkheim's primary interest was what happened as societies begin to modernize, when they begin to industrialize and labor becomes increasingly specialized. Durkheim dealt with changes in the material world in the way in which we divide up and do our work. Durkheim calls the new form of solidarity resulting from modernization, organic solidarity. In modern, industrial societies, labor is tremendously divided. Individuals no longer perform the same tasks, have the same interests, nor necessarily share the same perspectives on life. But Durkheim quickly points out that this does not cause a society to fail or disintegrate. Organic solidarity is formed. Like the organs within an animal, individuals perform certain specific functions, but rely on the well-being and successful performance of other individuals. If one organ fails, the rest of them fail as well. A body--or in this case a society--cannot function at all if one part crumbles. This reliance upon each other for social (and even physical) survival is the source of organic solidarity, according to Durkheim.[3]
Organic Solidarity and Collective Conscience[edit]
An important aspect of Durkheim's argument about the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity is that it is accompanied by a dramatic change in what he called the collective conscience(the ideas shared by members of a collectivity such as a group, a tribe, or a society). In organic solidarity and the large, differentiated societies linked with it, fewer people are affected by the collective conscience. The collective conscience is not as important and most people don't seem to care about it so deeply. It is far weaker and does not exercise nearly as much control over people. The collective conscience is far more flexible and adaptable and less associated with anything we think of as religion.[4]
Criticisms[edit]
Some Sociologists say that Durkheim cannot prove this thesis. Emile Durkheim suggests that the bond of solidarity has changed during the course of social evolution, and he seeks to identify the causes and consequences of this change. He poses his problem as the resolution of a paradox: Any increase in individuality would seem to entail a decline in solidarity. But over the course of social evolution individuality and solidarity have simultaneously grown stronger.(1960: Division of Labour) Durkheim postulates a complex set of relations between the individual and society. The two are mutually dependent and reinforce each other. Without the cooperation and participation of individuals society and languishes and dies; society revitalizes individuals and gives them the strength to persevere in the face of issues of every day of life. The perspectives which places this inverse relationship between individuality and solidarity at the core of Durkheim's theory produce intractable theoretical difficulties when Durkheim argues that solidarity and individuality are proportionately related.(Durkheim 129-131)Solidarity is a social factor; individuality referring specifically to what distinguishes one from another, is an individual factor. Hence, Durkheim's argument that individuality and solidarity grow proportionately directly contradicts his basic premise that the individual and social factors vary inversely.(American Sociological Review 1983, 681)[5]
Durkheim's formulation is unsatisfactory on empirical grounds. The beliefs which define and integrate a given group may be bring it into conflict with other groups and alienate from society as a whole. "We take part in several groups and in us is several collective consciences.[6]
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Ritzer, George; Stepnisky, Jeffrey (2018-01-10). Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics (5th ed.). Los Angeles London und vier andere: Sage Publications. ISBN 978-1-5063-3941-2. Search this book on
- ↑ Durkheim, Émile (1964). The division of labor in society. New York ; London: Free Press, Collier Macmillan. Search this book on
- ↑ Durkheim, Emile (June 1972). Emile Durkheim: Selected Writings. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-09712-3. Search this book on
- ↑ Barnes, J. A.1966 "Durkheim's 'Division of Labor in Society'" Man 1: 158-175.
- ↑ Pope, Whitney; Johnson, Barclay D. (1983). "Inside Organic Solidarity". American Sociological Review. 48 (5): 681–692. doi:10.2307/2094927. ISSN 0003-1224. JSTOR 2094927.
- ↑ "Exchange and Power in Social Life. By Peter M. Blau. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1964. 352 pp. $7.75". academic.oup.com. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
External Links[edit]
This article "Organic Solidarity" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Organic Solidarity. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
