Durkheim 2 Flashcards
What are the preconditions for the division of labor according to Durkheim?
Collective consciousness
What is an abnormal division of labor?
A “pathological” version of the DoL that results in antagonism between two or more groups involved in it. So, rather than the DoL creating organic solidarity, in this case it creates conflict.
How can we resolve the anomic division of labor?
Over time, the problem of the anomic DoL will resolve itself.
What is the forced division of labor?
A situation in which people are put into positions within the DoL that do not match their talents and interests. Social inequalities, Durkheim says, should express natural inequalities (note difference from Smith).
How can we resolve forced division of labor?
Two socio-political criteria must be met: equality of opportunity and equality of power in transaction.
What is the discontinuous division of labor?
This occurs when there is a lack of coordination of parts in the DoL. According to Durkheim, solidarity attenuates because people are bored or idle. They then begin to wonder how things are connected.
How can we resolve discontinuous division of labor?
Improve management/institutional design by abolishing useless roles and tasks.
How do we move from the abnormal division of labor to normal division of labor and organic solidarity?
Collective consciousness develops and transforms the problematic DoL to a normal one by producing a sense of social justice and a morality of cooperation, despite the cult of the individual.
What role does the state play?
The state embodies and reinforces collective consciousness and therefore the morality of cooperation.
What is the anomic division of labor?
An abnormal form of the DoL in which the parts are isolated from one another. This isolation isn’t spatial, but brought on because the parts do not see themselves as part of a larger project.
What is Durkheim’s basic attitude toward the division of labor?
For him, the DoL is inherently good, in contrast to Marx, who said the DoL naturally produces class antagonism. While it does take pathological forms, these are the result of causes external to the DoL.
