Saint patrick's day and Durkheim - Essay Example

Saint Patrick’s Day and Durkheim Saint Patrick’s Day and Durkheim Durkheim describes the significance of division of labor in society because it leads to increase in societal production, creates a feeling of cooperation and development of people’s skills. Durkheim asserted that the division of labor stretches beyond economic interests and establishes moral and moral order in the society. According to Durkheim, there exist two kinds of social solidarity. First, there is mechanical solidarity, which links people to society in absence of any form of mediation.

In simple terms, society is organized as unit where all members share common and similar values, norms, and beliefs. The shared values, norms and believes bind people together within society. Secondly, there is organic solidarity, which means that society is founded on a complex system that has distinct roles united or bound by definite relationship. Each person must have different work and a unique personality. Therefore, it is significant to note that individuality develops as part of society expands.

In turn, society transforms into a more effective unit because everybody work in areas of their interest. Durkheim asserted that as societies become more developed and civilized, individuals start to transform in unique and distinguishable entities from other members of society. Such a society develops organic solidarity as it develops its own division of labor (Durkheim, 1997). Durkheim argued that as societies become more civilized, economic growth is definitely entrenched in division of labor.

The idea of division of labor relates to specialization of labor particularly downsizing large jobs into many tiny units. When there is division of labor, each laborer or worker becomes an expert in one area of production, which in turn increases the workers efficiency. Division of labor benefits the society since the fact that workers do not need to switch or change tasks during working hours saves money and time. However, it is vital to note that Durkheim warned against forcing or coercing people to perform repetitious and mundane work because it led to dissatisfied work and ignorance among workers (Durkheim, 1997).

Durkheim also discussed the issue of law as it corresponds to social solidarity. He argued that there exist two kinds of law; restitutive and repressive law. Repressive law enforces some kind of penalty on the perpetrator. This law relates to mechanical solidarity in society. On other hand, restitutive law that does not mean suffering on a perpetrator but it aims to restore and build broken relationship that was destroyed from their normal form (Durkheim, 1997). In conclusion, it is rational to understand that Durkheim explains the concept of division, and its influence on society.

According to him, division of labor comes up because of straight proportion to the societal moral solidity. In turn, this leads to increased labor specialty, and growth of cities or towns. Durkheim argued that division of labor meant giving each employee a specific work that marches or suits them. Therefore, having employees perform specialized works led to increased productivity because it is easy to allocate tasks in accordance with worker’s specific skills. ReferenceDurkheim, E. (199). The Division of Labor in Society.

New York: Free Press.