Durkheim on social justice - a sociologists from 100 years ago explains what's bad about inequality

What is it about?

Émile Durkheim, one of the founders of sociology, developed an argument about social justice that is still relevant today: modern societies require solidarity based on difference rather than similarity, or “organic solidarity,” which can grow out of processes of divided labor. Social inequality, however, undermines this kind of solidarity, leading to distorted prices and reduced equality of opportunity. The paper reconstructs Durkheim’s argument, connects it to contemporary debates, and argues that the connections between social inequality, its perception, and social relations in the workplace deserve attention from the perspective of political theory and political science.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Durkheim’s argument about “organic solidarity” connects questions about solidarity, processes of divided labor, and the perception of justice in the workplace - these questions may never have been more important than today!