Durkheim's Mechanical and Organic Solidarity: what holds society together?

A visual explanation and analysis of Émile Durkheim's contrast between mechanical and organic solidarity.
Subscribe: / @altshiftx
Support on Patreon: / altshiftx
Twitter: / altshiftx
Created with Toon Boom Studio 8.1 and a Wacom Intuos Pen Tablet.
References:
Bottomore, T. 1981. A Marxist Consideration of Durkheim. Social Forces, 59(4), 902-917.
Durkheim, E. 1893. The Division of Labour in Society (trans. Halls, W. D.). New York: Free Press.
Henry, J. 2012. The Price of Offshore Revisted: New Estimates for Missing Global Private Wealth, Income, Inequality, and Lost Taxes. Press Release, Tax Justice Network.
James, P., and Szeman, I. 2010. Globalization and Culture, Vol. 3: Global-Local Consumption. London: Sage Publications.
Marx, K, and Engels, F. 1848. The Communist Manifesto (trans. Moore, S.). WikiSource.
Müller, H. 1994. Social Differentiation and Organic Solidarity: The "Division of Labor" Revisited. Sociological Forum, 9(1), 73-86.
Ortiz, Isabel, and Cummins. 2011. Global Inequality: Beyond the Bottom Billion. Unicef.
Pieterse, J. N. 2002. Global inequality: Bringing politics back in. Third World Quarterly, 23 (6).
Pope, W., and Johnson, B. 1983. Inside Organic Solidarity. American Sociological Review, 48(5), 681-692.
Additional references:
www.smh.com.au/federal-politic...
www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-29...
www.smh.com.au/technology/tech...
Images (in order of appearance):
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
www.venganza.org/images/wallpa...
"Hello Kitty Consumerism" image own work.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jul...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fem...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tai...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roy...
No clear source for images of Durkheim and Weber.

[@dasaggropop1244]

I just saw this, and its great. came for got, stayed for sociotheoratical infographics

[@MarcillaSmith]

Yes, I enjoyed the video as well. I don't know that I could have said anything about Durkheim before this, but now I have a grasp of the basics, at least. What I don't get, however, is how we would say that his theory can't explain WWI (or other conflict). If crime serves a purpose by delineating the boundaries of behavior in society, then can't we see something similar in war? What I mean is that a nation is a society _is_ a collective of people _is_ an emergent "individual" in the "society" of the international community. Therefore, I would say that war is an outcome of a nation committing a crime against another, and the society of the international community responding to it.

[@mokawi]

Same as this guy. I really hope a lot of other people are like us, because this is amazing.

[@Alex-xf6lh]

stop consooming goygaze

[@spacelinx]

I majored in sociology while I was in college. This is one of the best, quickest, and simplest explanations of Emile Durkheim’s theories I’ve ever heard.

[@graysaltine6035]

guess you could have saved a lot of time and money by just watching a youtube video then...

[@peachypietro9980]

Same here, but also, it's good to throw in a jumbled mess of different readings with a concise explanation like this

[@spacelinx]

@@graysaltine6035 : Perhaps, but KZbin wasn't around when I was in college, plus in the real world, claiming to have knowledge isn't enough. You've got to have that piece of paper, like a diploma, or trade certification and licensing (which may be required by law depending on profession) that proves you know stuff.

[@jdoe9518]

@@spacelinx Claiming to have "knowledge" is flawed. If people made up everything, the language used to describe everything for example, surely everything is based on belief? I'm not disputing beliefs can be measurable and repeatable. However even what is called science is measured speculation. So just to get my mind around this a pre-modern solidarity is "mechanical" because the "collective consciousness" comes from all the environmental factors, mostly unmolested, the collective self sufficiently live in and modern solidarity is "organic" because people have no choice except to rely on others because the "system" doesn't believe self sufficiency is productive enough? Let me frame it another way. "Organic" is where the mechanisms of government enforce their will on all under the threat of violence, births are certified and registered, licensing and all manner of paperwork are required of proof of anything and everything and if you refuse to give "money" ( a debt based system of agreed value which by design can never be satisfied) to the government earnt for time spent your freedom will be taken away? Regardless of what you do or believe in?

[@ericcartmann]

@@graysaltine6035 " Knowing is not enough "

[@SK-hf4je]

I Defiantly want more of this content please. You make everything clearer and easy to understand. So interesting I love it

[@B4CKWARDS_CH4RM]

You should come back to this type of content

[@fleurgi]

Wonderful work! Very informative and better explained than my university textbook. Thank you :)

[@AltShiftX]

fleurgi Cheers

[@fleurgi]

No problem! Will you be making anymore videos on other sociological theorists and concepts like those from Marx and Weber for example?

[@AltShiftX]

fleurgi Not any time soon, but maybe at some future point.

[@timpani1989]

Alt Shift X Oh that's a shame. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It aided me in the writing of sociological theory memo. Hopefully you'll include Gramsci and Polanyi works. :)

[@paulramos4037]

Alt Shift X Please make both Karl Marx and Max Weber, my fave sociologists!

[@bigknees2222]

Notes : Solidarity is the cohesion between the members of society and what holds it together. Durkheim's purposes to ideas in which solidarity could work : MECHANICAL SOLIDARITY ( pre modern ): - stands on homogeneity and collective consciousness - unified morally and socially - punishment if one clashed with the collective's belief ORGANIC SOLIDARITY ( modern ) - separate individuals and identities - interdependent / rely upon one another / they can't survive alone - focuses on individualism - visible in the culture of consumerism on how it sells the magnificence of individuals - limiting punishments to righting wrongs since beliefs continue to vary and expand for it to continue to run.

[@NiqashMuad]

It's more than just two over-simplified versions, but the only real truth is The Bible's, regardless what one might think, it's the most objective truth and stand by this.

[@AUniqueHandleName444]

@@NiqashMuad Bruh what are you talking about? The Bible doesn't even agree with itself about what's true.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

The "mechanical" solidarity looks more organic or akin to biological entities than that modern solidarity, the latter should be labelled as "transactional".

[@cloudynguyen6527]

@@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 I think you run on assumption that organic means unity. But if you look at nature, it's not a collective of the same trees and animals, it's a whole ecosystem with each living being fulfil their own role and their position in food chain. This is what our modern society is based on, we acknowledge that each person is not the same cog running the entire society machine, we are different individual pursue different roles in society. While nature looks static, it's an ever-changing landscape with steady evolution. Our modern society is similar but replace "evolution" with "technology".

[@sircole4549]

​​@@NiqashMuadregardless one might think" 🙄 so annoying acting like this makes me wanna punch you biblical centric bozos

[@lxfxmstr]

I definitely look forward to more of these types of videos. You have a deft way of exposing your analysis of topics that brings us along a logical thought process. Creative, insightful and incisive. I really like your no-bulls**t presentation style. Thank you for your work on these.

[@isabellamedinaceli7691]

great work!! even though I came to your chanel for the GoT Videos, I have to say that I liked this one even better. Very well explained ;)

[@AltShiftX]

Thanks!

[@guilhermegoncalvesmoreira6084]

same here!

[@HxH2011DRA]

Alt Shift X You should do these more

[@learnenglishwithme4397]

Hello where are you from

[@Arinahaset]

I got here from your GoT content and found myself really enjoying this. Well done.

[@Tsagan]

i really like this video , you manage to get a concept across in under 10 minute, i think the format is good and i would very much like more of it. Thanks for your good Videos !

[@Kay-kg6ny]

Love this! If you ever decide to make more of these again, I'd be excited to watch them!

[@NikiHerl]

Hell yeah I want to see more of this. These vids do a great job at providing a overview of the subject, and allow you to dive deeper without losing track of the greater picture =)

[@Kenshin1913]

I really enjoy this content as well as the Game of Thrones theories. Keep up the good work man.

[@MissUnfamousGirl]

When this GoT season is over and the analyzing of it is mostly done, I would love to see you making more videos like this. Very well done! :)

[@2122lovelife]

Thank you so much!! I get so confused in class because there's so much information you need to grasp in such a short amount of time. This really simplifies my lectures into something that actually makes sense.

[@alidurrani2473]

I’ve been a huge fan of yours ever since I discovered you, I’ve watched all of your Game of Thrones theories and Dune and All Tomorrow videos. I was just trying to understand Durkheim’s theory for my Sociology exam and came across this video that YOU made. It’s like I hit the jackpot

[@thejamesthird]

Your videos are always so interesting!

[@PaulThePuppetier]

Although I came to your channel because of Game of Thrones, and I do love your videos on the series, I like all of your content. I would surely enjoy it if you put out more videos like this one. This 10 minute video taught me more about sociology than my last two sociology teachers in the final 2 years of high school.

[@12345DJay]

yup. you should definitely do more of these. you are the perfect kind of content creator to make this type of video imo. keep em coming

[@timothymartin9085]

While it may be too late, I would like to say, YES. YES. YES. I want more. This is very well presented, and puts things into words that are not easy to do so, in such simplicity and eloqeuncy at the same time.

[@Corvaric]

Can't believe I've been following your Channel for years and only saw this now.

[@laurasmith7282]

Thanks for the great content! You packed more clarity of thought into 10 minutes than did my sociological theory course in 10 weeks.

[@14bexi14]

This is fantastic...I have an exam tomorrow morning on this for uni...THANK YOU!!!

[@the.brokenhand]

Bex Del How did it go?

[@tuesdayrupp3421]

These are great! Please keep making videos with philosophical content. They are well-done.

[@metalgirlsworkout2457]

I still can't believe someone would make a video about stuff like that :) Great job!

[@ahealthkit2745]

Thanks for creating this! I desire to study Sociology on my own time and money and it's really fantastic to find resources like this!

[@davemonkey26]

It’s so interesting seeing how different content creators were so long ago. Like how you can hear just a bit more Alt Schwift X in here than as of current

[@PhoebeGoh12]

Great animation, clear explanation and flow! It's a really helpful video! Thank you so much!

[@Martinator0325]

Seconding literally every comment, 5 years later! Please make more vids like this Alt Shift!

[@iwouldliketocomplain]

I would love to see more content like this. Good stuff!

[@migueche20]

Absolutely astounding work here. Very articulate and well thought. More of this please!

[@AltShiftX]

migueche20 Thank you!

[@KatjaGenkel]

+Alt Shift X Yes Please! I'm a anthropology student and this makes my life so much easier! This is amazing. Morgan and Bastian would be the bomb!

[@zerdaloo]

Bruh Durkheim's original reading is too complex, that's why I'm here. I've an end semester in half an hour. You're a fucking legend mate.

[@TotallyRadicalShow]

I'm loving all your videos so far and would like to see more of these types of videos alongside things like the GoT videos. Keep up the great work.

[@Sherenanana]

I just discovered this today and found it so comprehensible! Thank you for this really helpful video, and i hope you'll come up with more sociology videos :D

[@JohnC-yz3tl]

Was really enjoying this video when I finally realized I’ve been watching your ASOIAF videos for years! Great content man, keep up the good work!

[@Childinyou]

Your Freeman A is the best. Oh, and I guess your engaging and articulate videos too. Keep up the good work!

[@alwaysblazen1369]

please do more of this and anything else. its been forever since i found someone i can sit and watch and actually want to keep learning.my only complaint is you dont have 500 vids so i can binge. i like you got stuff but real actual knowledge is so much more valuable and just as or maybe more enjoyable

[@LegoMonkeycat]

This is your best video yet, Alt Shift X! Please make more like this. Quick note, Sven shouldn't really be farming potatoes, because they were a New World thing. Maybe turnips?

[@mohakbhardwaj3758]

Great work! I have always liked the way you analyze the GOT stuff but now I am yearning to see more of this philosophical stuff as well!

[@Stilusul]

Interesting, informative, and well narrated. I'm really loving the variety in your videos, keep it up!

[@luisernestomorales753]

After being my go to ASOIAF guidance for years now I suddenly found this video in the exact moment I needed it, I love you alt shift x

[@raphaelcohen3006]

First video I watch from you and I immediatly suscribed to your channel. Have to do a presentation of Hans-Peter Müller's article called "Social differentaition and Organic solidarity : The Division if Labor revisited" tomorow morning, and your didactical video has just cleared my mind. Visuals are greats. Thanks ! Cheers from France !

[@KujiGhost]

Came for sociotheoratical infographics, stayed for Freemλn.

[@eziowayne]

I would love to see more of this kind of content!

[@MthePG]

This is great! If you make more I will definitely watch it! :)

[@adrijabdutta]

brilliant understanding, obviously. great and simple explanation. would keep coming back for more!

[@TheHumanSpirit10]

Yes please make more content like this. Highly informative and objective.

[@mmendi1114]

wonderful, yes more content please

[@LillyAnarkitty]

Would love to see more videos like this from this channel

[@Jummbug]

I subscribed for the GoT content, but definitely gonna stay subscribed cuz the other stuff. Make more of this please, I love em. Keep em coming my good sir.

[@DjangVo]

Never knew my favorite GoT channel would actually help me with school. Thanks!

[@jiinglesgreen3869]

Thank you so much for this video. My text just wasn't making sense this week. You are a life saver. Thanks again. :)

[@laurepichet]

This is so helpful omg. I have a presentation in a few days ad the text I'm supposed to analyse is pretty hard to understand, so thanks a lot you're saving my life.

[@junyuanchen6302]

very helpful video to understand some of Durkheim's thoughts. Thanks for making the video.

[@BarbeChenue]

You should do more of this! Excellent!

[@vladimirenev1847]

Really interesting and engaging video. Thanks. Keep making them

[@TheShourdedLord]

Wow didn't know you made this stuff this is great

[@jackskerritt9404]

This was fantastic, please make more!!!

[@aliyadasgupta3306]

Very helpful! Love the correlation with modern problems - None of my books seem to do that unfortunately ! Thanks :)

[@wazcrack169]

Awesome video. Would love to see more similar stuff.

[@farsITTO]

I found and subscribed your channel because of the GoT episode by episode explanations. They were awesome but now I am so very much impressed by the videos on Psychology, Sociology, Literature, and Philosophy. Great job! Hope to see more

[@seerutravels]

I need your help I'm sociology student

[@pkeelin2621]

Great stuff, I would love to see more of this. Prehaps a critique on Veblen's social and economic ideas. He has always intrigued me.

[@jahidulmawla677]

Man you are legend, I follow you like for last one year but discovered this video only today.

[@ntokozobiyela4414]

literally my exam essay...i wrote exactly what you say...i had planned something else bt I just remembered this video and when I saw the question I just went for it... thanks a lot... ntokozo south Africa

[@nwhat102291]

thank you for this video! it was more clear than my class readings!

[@voldlifilm]

This is great, thank you so much for making this! (I just got to point out that if Sven is a viking living in ye olde Scandinavia, he wouldn't farm potatoes. They didn't exist in Europe until after the discovery of the Americas. Same with tomatoes. WHAT? I mean, did classical Italians eat pizza without tomato sauce? Is that even pizza? It's madness.)

[@brendanmohen9113]

Awesome video would love to see more in this vein

[@cooldawg2009]

Hell yea make more. That was insightful af!

[@bustercall5744]

I liked this a lot :D great work and good explanation of social these two observations.

[@computerlady222]

I would like to see more like this on Weber, Marx and Mead. Makes it must easier to remember key points for tests.

[@upamasyed]

This just saved my life! Thank you so much ❤❤

[@iluen]

I don't wanna say stop making game of thrones video but these are way more interesting!

[@ernestuz]

Indeed!

[@moussabnmohdahman5318]

Alt shift X, many thanks 4 this short enlightening socio. summary and "Division of labour" of E. Durkheim's sociology.. More is and would be welcome !

[@reueluletaiolonasau5447]

You saved me doing hard research on my Assignment... You earned my respect and my sub, thanks my bro

[@Volleyballislife1234]

Nicely done man... Loved.

[@wiskeeamazingdancer4964]

Awesome work. Been years ago since I studied political science, but Durkheim stood out even then. Great to hear such a concise and easy to understand explanation. Keep it up.

[@guilhermedavitoria4346]

HOTD season 1 just finished and I was just now recommended this… Alt Shift X has ways to hold onto your attention.

[@DerFroschMitMaske]

It would be so weird and fun for Alt Shift X to come back to these kind of non fiction videos with the tone/experience they gained discussing GOT ETC

[@Bigshark1312]

studying for my intro to sociology exam and found out my fav GoT analyst has videos on sociology as well. Awesome! Made it easy for me to digest

[@alamiub]

Simply awesome! Loved it every second. I was hoping you would make videos on Gramsci and Spivak that would be extraordinarily helpful. Thanks once again :)

[@caobe3139]

wow that was great, so interesting in so many leves. I've never got what was Durkheim really about, this helped me vastly. Thank you.

[@mairacortezrodas]

Te amooo!!!! I lovee youu!!!❤ Muchaaas Gracias! You have a new subscriber

[@nightangel3578]

Amazing work! Please keep the sociological content coming.

[@planyrescape]

Very much enjoyed this video!!

[@boonskank]

Your GoT content was great, but I absolutely want you to make more content like this!!!

[@fufuberry23]

Wow That was really dense and well executed. Thanks!

[@iigabriels]

Cool video and amazing content, great job!

[@akhileshkumar9678]

I didn't saw the channel name at first. After few seconds I thought I recognize this voice. It was then that I saw your icon at the left bottom corner. This is as good as your GOT videos.

[@brendablueys]

Thank you this is awesome. I have a better understanding now. This is better than a full simester at my university.. thank you so much.

[@davidposno1711]

Need of more videos like this one

[@1HUSEINKAPETAN1]

I have to say I loved this video, and yes, I'd like more of these ^^

[@qwertyqart]

Great video. Glad to learn about DurKheim

[@LB42389]

Awesome, awesome, awesome!! Thanks so much, my professor does his best to explain Durkheim but this helped me so much more!! Great job!

[@shrutijhanwar2702]

Amaizing vedio! Got to understand much more than the whole of my research on the topic! Excellent!!!

[@user-pp9pr4sg1g]

absolutely wonderful video！

[@benjaminmacshane1177]

I am a big fan of your videos. they work like essays, building up a convincing argument with source material substantiating every point. I am currently writing a history dissertation on individualism in Japan and came across this video whilst I was procrastinating over Game of Thrones speculations. It's been a huge help but I was wondering if you might offer citations regarding the value systems in both mechanical and organic societies, inter-dependence and his thoughts on individualism. I realise it's a bit of a punt but thought I'd ask. Cheers!

[@VigneshLabam017]

Wonderful video! Give us more!!!

[@c0nfracto]

Gracias for making this video, it helped me a lot

[@1ucy5]

Learnt a lot from this, thank you.