Sociology I · 10 marks · 150 words

Distinguish between 'mechanical solidarity' and 'organic solidarity' in Durkheim's analysis of the division of labor.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025

Emile Durkheim

Syllabus: Sociological Thinkers: (a) Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle. (b) Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society. (c) Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. (d) Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables. (e) Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups. (f) Mead - Self and identity.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 180 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening2 of 3
  • A definition1 of 3

Body

  • Points and prose2 of 3
  • Points1 of 3

Close

  • A summary2 of 3
  • No separate close1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Puru DubeyAIR 86 · CSE 2025 · 180 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

For Durkheim, social solidarity is how an individual is attached and regulated by society. While mechanical solidarity does it through strong collective conscience, organic solidarity does it through interdependence.

Body · points and prose

MECHANICAL SOLIDARITYORGANIC SOLIDARITY
societysimple society eg Arunta tribeComplex society eg France
Charact-eristicssolidarity of samenesssolidarity of difference
Causestrong collective conscienceDivision of labour causing interdependence
VolumeLow size of society and groupingHigh and dispersed
IntensityHigh intensity of collective conscienceLow intensity of collective conscience
DeterminatenenHigh rigidityLow rigidity
ContentReligious contentSecular content
structuresfamily, kinship & ReligionOccupational associations, Nations, Cult of Individual

Close · a summary

While Durkheim differentiated between these two society what remained common was his insistence that optimum amount of social solidarity is the foundation of social life.

More on Emile Durkheim

Division of labour, social fact, suicide, and religion and society.

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