Durkheim, Marx & the Division of Labor in Society

Durkheim, Marx, and the Division of Labor in Society

In The Division of Labor in Society, Emile Durkheim (1984) argues that the role of the division of labor is more than to make civilization possible through the provision of economic services. Rather, he argues its true function is to create a feeling of solidarity between people (Durkheim, 1984, p. 17). He states that his view of the division of labor differs from that of economists because they view the division's primary purpose as increased production. For Durkheim, however, greater productivity is merely a necessary consequence, a side-effect, of the division. Its true function is to enable us to live in the new conditions of existence created for us (Durkheim, 1984, p. 217).

On the other hand, Marx appears to agree with the economists that the true purpose of the division of labor is increased production. He states that the division of labor is based on the natural division of labor in the family and the separation of society into individual families opposed to one another (Marx, 1978, p. 159). The division is characterized by the unequal distribution of labor and its products. Further, the division implies the contradiction between the interest of the separate individual or family and the communal interest of all individuals (Marx, 1978, p. 159). The division establishes that the laborer's work becomes an alien power opposed to him and which enslaves him instead of being controlled by him because the distribut

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ter quality. Humanity believes it will achieve greater happiness if it possesses more of these resources and is naturally induced to seek them (Durkheim, 1984, p. 179). Durkheim argues, therefore, that the progress of the division of labor has been influenced entirely by individual and psychological causes (Durkheim, 1984, p. 180). The need for happiness propels the individual to specialize in his or her labor to produce more resources. Because every specialization presumes the simultaneous presence of several individuals and their mutual cooperation, specialization requires the existence of society. Thus, instead of being a determining cause, society is merely the means by which specialization is realized (Durkheim, 1984, p. 180). Once again, Marx would disagree. Marx argues that the productive forces operate independently of the laborers. This is so because the individuals whose forces they are--the bourgeoisie and the proletariat--exist separately and in opposition to one another (Marx, 1984, p. 190). However, these forces are the only real forces in the intercourse and association of these individuals. Thus, on the one hand, we have productive forces of private property and, on the other hand, we have the majority of i

Category: Economics - D