Anomie: Durkheim and Merton

A detailed Summary of Anomie: Durkheim and Merton

The classical theorists-Marx, Weber, Durkheim-reflect on the dark side of modern life. Modernity had profoundly changed the way people lived and the way society was organized. Modernity sees the emergence of the middle class, it is a time when "fewer and fewer of the privileged could relax as more and more of the disadvantaged could speak" (Lemert, p.15.) In the name of progress, modernity, promising a better world (tomorrow) brings destruction-destruction of the old family and small town values (Lemert, p.27.) So there is an ambiguity: the benefits of modern life are not real yet while the familiar traditional life is destroyed.

While some others (like Spencer) saw modernity as "a beneficent necessity", a one way street to a better world, Durkheim told the story of the 2 sides of modernity: " the official story of progress and the good society and the repressed story of destruction, loss, terror of life without meaningful traditions" (Lemert, p.28.)

In Anomie and the Modern Division of Labor, Durkheim introduces the concept of anomie that comes with the rise of modern society. Modernization is marked by an increasing division of labor, a specialized economic activity. By becoming different f

For Durkheim, the transition from a traditional society, where goals are limited by social order and morality, to a modern society, brings about the emergence of individualism with its plight of unchecked desires, unlimited markets, deregulation, disengagement and unhappiness. Because society is less present in the individual, anomie develops and become chronic, normal.

In Suicide and Modernity Durkheim expands on the concept of anomie. Whereas he previously described a modern society in a state of anomie, he describes here anomie at the individual level. He portrays a human being with unlimited desires and unattainable goals. "The more we have, the more we want" (p.83.) Therefore, by pursuing an unattainable goal, we condemn ourselves to perpetual unhappiness.

The remedy is to limit our passions and desires. Durkheim states that "society alone can play this moderating role" (p.84), because it is the only moral power superior to the individual. He contends that members of a social class, by consensus, know their upper and lower limits; they know what is appropriate for their class. "Society fixes with relative precision the maximum degree of ease of living to which each social class may legitimately aspire" (p.84.) Of course, these limits are not static, they vary through time and space. Therefore, if (wo)man is docile and respects regulations, an end and goal are set to her passions, and (s)he can be happy. Each person is in harmony with her condition (p.85.) However, this social classification has to be perceived as just by members of society. "In normal conditions, the collective order is regarded as just by the great majority of persons" (p.86.)

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Approximate Word count = 1631
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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