Meaning of mechanical and organic solidarity (what is it, concept and definition)

What is mechanical and organic solidarity:

Mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity are concepts related to the division of labor in societies, conceived by the French sociologist Émile Durkheim.

In this sense, they are theorizations about the way in which collaboration and cooperation systems are established between individuals according to the needs and capacities of each one. Hence, from this theory it has been tried to explain how the division of labor is the primary source of social solidarity in communities.

Mechanical solidarity

The mechanical solidarity is one that occurs in societies with little or no division of labor, in which the functions are usually the same for all people, regardless of their status or social status. In this sense, the bonds of cooperation and collaboration are established between individuals for the performance of tasks or the fulfillment of objectives that do not require special abilities. As such, it is the most primitive type of solidarity (rural and family contexts). It is based on a feeling of union, product of the sense of equality between individuals, and a community of beliefs and feelings.

Organic solidarity

The organic solidarity is that which occurs in societies that are sharply divided work. As such, it is characteristic of modern capitalist societies, where individuals specialize in different tasks and knowledge, which generates a network of interdependencies where all people need the services or knowledge of others. In this sense, organic solidarity establishes a system of functional relationships, where cooperation links between individuals are produced based on the knowledge and solutions that each can provide for the needs of the other.