Page 91 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University Unit-15: Division of Labour in Society–Mechanical and Organic Solidarity

unit-15: Division of Labour in society–mechanical and notes
organic solidarity

contents
Objectives

Introduction
15.1 Subject Matter
15.2 Summary
15.3 Keywords
15.4 Review Questions

15.5 Further Readings

objectives

After studying this unit, the students will be able to:
y Understand the social side of division of labour,
y Understand the solidarity of society based on division of labour,
y Develop the sense of Mechanical and Organic Solidarity.

introduction

According to Durkheim in ancient societies division of labour was based upon distinction between
Men and Women. Men went hunting or to collect fruits and Women do house- works and take care of
children. Since in this age no need was felt in financial life for division of labour everybody collectively
did their work. Since there was no division of labor so there was no question of specialization.
Everybody can normally do every type of social and financial works. A king can be a Priest or a
Hunter. In this way in ancient societies in modern meaning there was no special division of labour
or specialization. According to Durkheim there was Mechanical Solidarity in these type of societies.
The reason for this is clear.Everyone was tied with the collective desire.In society people worked
mechanically closing their eyes under the pressure of public, religion or king and in this way society
remains affiliated with the Mechanical Solidarity.
Like the way the culture developed, so the different aspects of financial life also gets developed ,
demand of things increased and also there gets expansion in need. As a result of all these ,need was
felt for the division of labour in the society for manufacturing-works.

15.1 subject matter

‘Division of labour in society’ is the first work of Durkheim which he published in French Language
in the name of ‘De la division du Travail Special’ and whose translation is done in English in the
name of ‘The Division of Labour is society’. This text was published in 1893. He composed this text for

LoVeLY professionaL uniVersitY 85