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As industrialized societies grow and develop, they become increasingly different from their less industrialized counterparts. As they become larger, they evolve into large, impersonal mass societies. In a mass society, individual achievement is valued over kinship ties, and people often feel isolated from one another. Personal incomes are generally high, and there is great diversity among people.
As industrialized societies expand and evolve into large-scale mass societies, individuals experience shifts in social bonds and community structures. French sociologist Émile Durkheim (1858-1917) explored these changes, analyzing how societies maintain cohesion as they grow and modernize. His concepts of mechanical and organic solidarity help explain the transformation from tight-knit, homogeneous communities to interdependent but impersonal societies. His theory of anomie highlights the challenges individuals face in adapting to rapid social change.
Émile Durkheim
Émile Durkheim was one of the founding figures of sociology as a discipline. His work focused on understanding how societies maintain cohesion and order, especially during periods of rapid change. Durkheim believed that shared norms, values, and social institutions are critical for societal stability. He referred to these shared beliefs and moral attitudes as the collective conscience, which functions as a unifying force within society.
The collective conscience represents the shared framework of values and norms that brings members of a community together, ensuring that individual behavior aligns with the expectations of the group. Durkheim argued that the strength of the collective conscience varies across societies. The collective conscience is strong and uniform in smaller, preindustrial societies, where people share similar experiences and values. In larger industrial societies with more diverse roles and values, it becomes more generalized but remains essential for maintaining social order.
However, he also recognized that these structures can break down, leading to a state he called anomie. Anomie refers to a state of normlessness or a breakdown of social norms and values. It occurs when society undergoes rapid changes, such as industrialization or economic crises, that disrupt the established social order. In these periods, individuals may feel disconnected, uncertain, or without clear guidance on how to behave. Anomie reflects a lack of regulation or shared expectations, which Durkheim saw as essential for social stability.
Examples of anomie in society include:
Economic Crises: Recessions or job losses disrupt the predictable routines of life, leading to uncertainty and normlessness.
Technological Change: Rapid technological advancements can outpace society’s ability to create new norms, leaving individuals unsure of how to adapt.
Urbanization: Moving from close-knit rural communities to impersonal urban environments can create feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Durkheim also introduced the concepts of mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity to explain how societies maintain cohesion and social order. These two forms of solidarity reflect the evolution of societies from simpler, pre-industrial structures to more complex, modern ones.
Mechanical Solidarity
Mechanical solidarity characterizes pre-industrial societies, where individuals share similar work, values, and beliefs. Social cohesion in these societies is based on the uniformity of its members, who often perform the same types of tasks, such as farming or crafting, and adhere to shared traditions and norms. Key features of societies with mechanical solidarity include:
Limited division of labor: Most people perform similar roles.
Strong collective conscience: Shared beliefs and values that bond the community together.
High levels of social integration: Close-knit relationships and face-to-face interactions are common.
Mechanical solidarity fosters a strong sense of belonging but may struggle to adapt to societal changes or diversity.
Organic Solidarity
Organic solidarity emerges in industrialized and modern societies, where the division of labor is more complex, and individuals perform specialized roles. Social cohesion, in this instance, is based on interdependence. With organic solidarity, people rely on each other to fulfill different functions within society. Key features of societies with organic solidarity include:
High division of labor: Roles are specialized, such as doctors, teachers, or mechanics.
Weaker collective conscience: Individualism is more pronounced, and shared values are less uniform.
Greater reliance on institutions: Laws and formal rules maintain order and cooperation.
Organic solidarity allows for greater adaptability and innovation but can lead to feelings of isolation or alienation due to weaker personal connections.
