Internet Exercises

Exercise 1

On page 98 in the text, Collins and Makowsky discuss Durkheim’s conceptions of “mechanical” and “organic” solidarity. Go to http://durkheim.itgo.com/solidarity.html. Scroll down to the section on “Durkheim on Solidarity.” After reading the excerpts from Durkheim’s work, answer the following questions:

1. What metaphor does Durkheim use to describe mechanical solidarity?



2. What metaphor does Durkheim use to describe organic solidarity?



3. How does Durkheim describe the place of the individual in a society characterized by mechanical solidarity?



4. What do you think are the “organs” of a society characterized by organic solidarity?

Exercise 2

Collins and Makowsky observe that “the connection between [these] societies and their laws…is the changing division of labor. Retributive law is found mostly in societies with little division of labor; restitutive law mostly in those with a high division of labor” (p. 98).

Go to http://www.relst.uiuc.edu/durkheim/. Under “Summaries,” click on The Division of Labor in Society, and then (under “Outline of Topics”) click on “The Function of the Division of Labor.” After reading this summary, answer the following questions:

1. What are the two ways that Durkheim defines the concept of function?



2. What needs are satisfied by the division of labor?



3. To what degree does the solidarity produced by the division of labor contribute to societal integration?



4. What did Durkheim mean by the “normal condition”?



5. Define the concept of the collective conscience.