"Emile Durkheim's concept of the division of labor highlight its dual nature, serving as both a functional and potentially anomic force in society." Discuss.

Durkheim examined the various systems of divisions of labour and sought to give a complete sociological explanation for the same - beyond what classical economists like Adam Smith.

Dual Nature of Division Labour: A functional force.

Division of Labour in simple societies was based on likeness of parts which are mechanically juxtaposed on each other. No special training, low interdependence creates mechanical solidarity.

Over time societies increase in material density i.e population and moral density i.e frequency of contact. This leads to differentiation and specialization of parts echoing Spencerian view.

The encuased needs of the society is now met through different specialized parts and their inevitable interdependence creates organic solidarity.

eg: Earlier houses used to keep cows, now market dependent on farms.

Durkheim says this organic solidarity and division of labour in modern societies is functional:

(1) It adapts to the rising needs of the larger population. (2) more efficient and specialized units improves productivity. (3) Rationalization of the society. (4) Religion declining as an controlling structure due to laws. (4) Division of Labour enables 'individual freedom' to pursue his/her own self interest and development. (5) Functional for each individual by rising specialized roles. (6) Functional for each subsystems which become specialized and more scientific

eg: Education taken over by schools from families.

(1) Functional for the society as a whole to meet its various systemic goals, leading to further social and economic development

eg: Rise in living standards due to industrial revolution.

Division of Labour: An Anomic force.

In its pathological manifestation, division of labour which is anomic - i.e lack of or multiplicity of norms or forced due to strict implementation of norms, can create structural strain and social conflict.

The tumultuous social situation in France is explained by Durkheim in this manner due to anomie.

The Conscience Collective in division of labour in a normal social fact should be less in volume, intensity, specificity etc.

Anomie creates lack of norms or multiple norms which causes disruption in society due to lack of effective collective consciousness. The social conflict of protest, corruption, scandals etc, political instability is the result.

Excessive or forced division of labour by too much strictly enforced collective consciousness also creates disruption eg. Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

The effective organization and co-ordination of various parts is necessary for proper organic solidarity.

Durkheim's ideas of division of labour is limited in explaing large social changes exploitative power relations etc. However, it explains the social 'physics' of statics and dynamics in modern societies.