Mechanical and organic solidarity

The mechanical solidarity It happens when a society is made up of individuals who differ little from each other, and social cohesion is obtained thanks to shared values, beliefs and rituals (collective conscience). This type of solidarity is typical of pre-industrial societies.

In the organic solidarity, In contrast, individuals are different from each other, social cohesion is produced by the division of labor and there is a high level of interdependence. This type of solidarity is present in industrialized societies.

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) introduced these concepts in his work The Division of Labour in Society (1893). For this sociologist, the social solidarity refers to that which holds a society together, generating social cohesion. Mechanical and organic solidarity are forms in which social solidarity presents itself.

What is mechanical solidarity?

It is a form of social solidarity composed of individuals who differ little from each other, and where cohesion is obtained thanks to the collective consciousness (shared beliefs and values).

According to Émile Durkheim, this type of solidarity is typical of societies primitive or pre-industrial, in which the division of specialized labor was minimal or non-existent, and social habits and practices were common to all members of the group.

He considers it to be "mechanical" because of its similarity to the movement and grouping of molecules in the physical world. In this case, social molecules (individuals and small groups) can only act together, united to each other, without having their own movement..

Social differences between individuals are minimal and social norms are the same for all people. This results in a community of individuals with similar ways of thinking, feeling and acting, thanks to shared religion, politics and rituals..

The ties that unite individuals are based on family identity and the village, so it is a horizontal society (similarity between individuals) and homogeneous.

For there to be social cohesion, the collective consciousness must encompass the entire social world. Values, traditions, morals and other aspects of the daily life of the community are the basis that it uses to dictate the way of being of the individual. This one has an individual conscience reduced and is considered as a part of a whole.

Societies in which mechanical solidarity predominates are characterized by having a low population and little interaction between their members. Durkheim called this phenomenon "moral density" (or dynamic).

Characteristics of mechanical solidarity

• Low moral density (little population and interaction between its members).
• Division of labour null or limited.
• Homogeneous society, with low individuality.
• Relationships by offspring (family), rituals, habits and common experiences unite to the people.
• Self-sufficiency family.
• The collective conscience acts with intensity in the whole society.
• Religion, politics, work and other practices are governed by similar rules.
• The right is repressive.
• Present in societies pre-industrial (primitive).

Repressive law in mechanical solidarity

In mechanical solidarity, the punishment it was used to atone for faults. The main function of the legal system was to protect community beliefs and traditions, even going so far as to regulate family life.

The crime is considered an act against the entire society. This is why the repressive law acted on any threat that could undermine social cohesion and collective conscience..

The punishment was meted out by the collective, being implemented against whoever committed the offense and, on occasions, also involved their relatives or neighbors.

What is organic solidarity?

In organic solidarity, cohesion is born from the interdependence of individuals, caused by the division of labour and individual differences. Each individual is specialized in a particular job, so it requires others for its survival, as well as mechanisms that coordinate their differences. This type of solidarity is found in societies industrialized.

Unlike mechanical solidarity, Durkheim calls this solidarity "organic" because of its resemblance to the organs of a living being. Each organ is different and acts autonomously, but it needs to integrate with the other social organs to survive..

Another element of these societies is urban growth and the movement of people. More efficient means of transport, the exchange of goods and the birth of industry stimulate migration to the cities. Society is more heterogeneous, full of interactions between individuals with different backgrounds and ways of thinking.

In a more vertical society, individuals with different origins coexist in the same space. This is why social relations are regulated by different bodies, thus guaranteeing that cohesion is maintained..

Characteristics of organic solidarity

• High moral density (higher population and greater interaction between its members).
• The division of labor is more complex and replaces the collective consciousness.
• Heterogeneity between individuals and greater individuality.
• The interdependence and the activities performed by each individual create social cohesion.
• Little self-sufficiency family.
• Religion, politics, science and education enjoy autonomy internal.
• Restorative law, civil and with less interference in private life.
• Company owned industrial (advanced).

Concepts associated with organic solidarity

Social anomie

For Durkheim, in industrial societies, social anomie occurs when the integration of individuals weakens. This is caused by the individuality and interdependence that result from the division of labor. The common rules that govern society carry less weight, causing the social order be seen threatened in the absence of a collective conscience that unifies society.

In the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity, there is a risk that things will lose order and society will disappear. To prevent this from happening, voluntary agreements are created that bind those who take part in them: the State, as the central body, and the laws, which regulate these agreements..

Division of social work

Increasing moral density, along with technological advances, stimulates a more complex and specialized division of labor. The struggle for resources increases, so specialization opens up other forms of survival.

Organic solidarity, caused by this division of labor, is characterized by a weakening of the collective conscience, that is not able to maintain social cohesion.

Integration occurs when the functions performed by individuals are diversified, making them more interdependent.

In industrial societies there is little self-sufficiency. Individuals need the services and products that others offer to survive. The role each one performs facilitates grouping.

Even when labor and economic competition is strong, the division of labor creates links intense due to this interdependence.

Restorative law

The restitutive right restores Y repair damages committed by the offender. In organic solidarity, the punishments are less severe and are directed only against those who commit the crime (without affecting third parties).

Laws are more complex, having among their objectives to keep social agreements in order, protect private property, regulate social relations, as well as the role of each individual. Represents the birth of modern civil law.

Aspects such as religiosity, family life and romantic relationships are now considered to be the private sphere.

Collective consciousness according to Émile Durkheim

For Émile Durkheim, collective consciousness is an element that seems to have a life of its own, and is made up of all the beliefs, practices and rituals that the members of a society share..

In solidarity mechanics, collective consciousness is intense, covers the whole of society and produces social cohesion, while reducing individuality.

In solidarity organic, the collective conscience loses power due to the arrival of the division of labor. Since the population is more heterogeneous, different ways of thinking are found, giving way to a greater initiative of individual thought.

Characteristics of the collective consciousness