Page 95 - DSOC401_SOCIOLOGICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Unit-15: Division of Labour in Society–Mechanical and Organic Solidarity

and roles of the people, thinking, trust and life-patterns, mentality, social and morality. Size of simple, notes
primitive and ancient societies are very small, needs of people are limited and same. They have the
control and pressure of tradition, public and religion. And people follow them blindly completes
their duty. Personality of a person gets dissolved in the personality of group. He mechanically thinks
works and follow the orders with the group. The solidarity established from this type of behavior is
that’s why called as ‘Mechanical Solidarity’. Durkheim considered repressive laws and Mechanical
solidarity are interrelated. During the description of this solidarity he presents the brief description
of crime , punishment and ‘collective consciousness’.
characteristics of mechanical society- Characteristics of Mechanical Society was described by
Durkheim are the following –
1. undifferentiated or Distinction - Quote free society – Primitive and Rural society comes under
Mechanical Society. Although non-competence is found on the basis of age, gender,genetics in these
societies but severe form of financial abnormality is not found. In these socities land is not private
but is a collective property of whole rural area. The headof village is superior over others on the basis
of genetics. Decisions are taken by Panchayat. In these socities similarity is found in all mental, social
and moral fields. Equity is fond in their trust, nature and votes. Tradition creates symmetry in these
types of socities.Lack of Individualism is found in these types of societies.
2 . secondary place of person – In mechanical solidarity societies , society is given higher place over
a person. There society becomes more and person becomes less important. Personality of person gets
mixed in the society. A person a personal consciousness, he works on that basis only, but in front of
collective consciousness , personal consciousness becomes negligible , becomes secondary.
3. Dominance of collective consciousness – There is a Dominance of Collective consiousness in
society of Mechanical Solidarity. There is a participation of every member in the trust and momentum
of society. When any person from the society raises doubt in it that means he is challenging the whole
society ,which society does not accept. Collective consiousness is followed generations by generations.
It depends upon person and time.
4. superiority of supressive law - Superiority of Supressive law is found in society of Mechanical
Solidarity. The aim of Supressive law is to maintain solidarity of society.To hurt collective consiousness
is believed a crime and society gives punishment to such person. The aim of Supressive law is to
protect collective interest instead of a person.
5. morality - In society of Mechanical Solidarity the basis of social solidarity is Morality. Although
socieits stand on the ground of morality in both Mechanical and Organic society. But in Organic
society, morality becomes weak and in Mechanical societies, society keeps its dignity and control on
the basis of Morality.
6. Homogeneity – Census is less in Mechanical societies therefore homogeneity is found in every field.
In these type of socities public are more important. Uniformity of public also creates consistency in
the society.
7. political-life – In Mechanical societies, justice, punishment, and social cases all are resolved
collectively by groups. Whole group or community works to give punishment to those making law,
those reinforcing it and those who do not follow the law. No case in the society is private, all are
public. Therefore it is resolved in general assembly.
8. financial organization - In Mechanical societies , economy is of maintenance economy. Supply
of food, cloths, shelter is done with difficulty. There is a lack of specialization in it. All family and
community members participate in the manufacturing process. There is a lack of classes and property
is collective.
9. religion organization – There is a primacy of religion in Mechanical Societies. In these the first form
of religion is found in the form of Totemism. Totem is worshipped. Totem is the centre of religious
activities. Religion is the main source of social control.

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