Page 94 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Sociological Thought

notes The main work of division of labour is to create solidarity in the society and solidarity is a moral fact
whose analysis and testing can be done directly. Durkheim says on the basis of study of Statuory
law we can measure and understand the solidarity of any society. Statuory law represents personal
relations between members of groups. The more dense relations between members, more will be
solidarity in group. The type of law and order system in the society, there is also same type of social
solidarity. Durkheim by distributing law and order discussed every type of social solidarity related
to each law type. He basically described two type of law- Repressive law and Restitutive law.
1. repressive Law - Repressive Laws are ‘Public Laws’ that regulate relation of people and state. In
them importance is given to group interest instead of person. Repressive Law are of two types – (a)
Panel law which are related to hurting ,damaging , murder and violating freedom. (b) Diffused Law
which are pervaded in the whole group on the basis of morality.
2. restitutive law – The purpose of this law is to create normal situation in imbalance created between
persons. Civil law, business law, constitutional and administrative law comes under this.
Above both type of laws are the result of two different type of social solidarities and two different
type of life styles. Repressive law is the symbol of similaty prevailed between persons.Durkhcim
called the solidarity emerged through this type as ‘Mechanical Solidarity’.Restitutive law is related
to differences and division of labour and the solidarity emerged through this type is called ‘Organic
Solidarity’ by Durkheim. Here we will discuss Social solidarity concept of Durkheim.,

self assessment
fill in the blanks—
1. The main work of division of labour is to create solidarity in the society and solidarity is a
moral fact whose __________ can be done directly.
2. The more dense relations between ___________, more will be solidarity in group
3. ________ Laws are ‘Public Laws’ that regulate relation of people and state.

concept of social solidarity

The Concept of Social Solidarity is an admirable contribution of Durkheim in sociological literature.
According to Durkheim, the progress of group contained in its solidarity. This solidarity is the super
power and persons are part of this solidarity. In society social solidarity is represented by different
persons behaving and thinking same. Similarity and dissimilarity found in persons and society both
produce solidarity in the society. Same physical and mental conditions take persons towards solidarity.
Untill person have love and afferction towards each other they do not feel need to come near to each
other. But affection is not only in similarity it is also in dissimilarity.Physical Dissimilarity between
men and women forces them to come near to each other. Similarly dissimilarity of work which we
call division of labour forces them to come near and work together. This way according to Durkhcim
the secret of solidarityunderlies in division of labour.
According to Durkheim social solidarity is a moral incident. It is inherent in moral principles of
society. This is not a tangible thing. But resides in the mental conditions of people of society. This is
the expression of collective consciousness. The more the feeling of attachment and closeness among
people of society, more will be the solidarity.
Durkheim says there will be changes in the condition and pattern of social solidarity on the basis of size
of census and pattern of division of labor. On the basis of this there arise two forms of solidarity in the
society- Mechanical Solidarity and Organic Solidarity. Here we will discus both types of solidarity.

mechanical solidarity

Mechanical solidarity is found in simple, primitive and ancient societies. Similarities found in the
members of groups are the basis of this solidarity. In this society similarities are found in the status

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