Durkheim’s body of work he discusses many complex thoughts and concepts. In is
article he discusses anomie which is the breakdown of social norms. It is when
social structures have a lack of regulation, or a fair amount of social upheaval
and turmoil this is what Durkheim refers to as anomie. It is the lack or social
integration between people and the lack of regulation by society. Mechanical
solidarity is part of anomie. Mechanical solidarity is made up of 4
characteristics. These characteristics are 1.)Minimal division of labor
2.)Emphasis is on the group 3.) Limited social roles 4.) Collective
consciousness is important key to understanding solidarity. Collective
consciousness is the body of beliefs common in an average society. It is within
what Durkheim calls Mechanical solidarity that this collective consciousness is
strong. This occurs within pre-industrialized societies.
I would argue that within gang culture we see anomie. We see
this break down to means and we see what could be argued as mechanical
solidarity within the gang unit. Gangs have the same functions that mechanical
solidarity. Gangs place a strong emphasis on the collective group and not the
individual. If a member of a gang is arrested the gang does not stop its
affiliation/functioning. The members are usually of the same class. Also,
members only have a duty or connection to one another strangers are rarely let
into gang affiliation or actions. The gang has minimal division of labor. They
do not outsource their task to others. If one member (lower in the hierarchy)
is asked by another (higher in the hierarchy) to perform a duty he/she
completes that duty. They all are to complete the same duties as another to keep
the gang alive and functioning. They all have similar education, commit
similar crimes, and have same beliefs. The members of a gang live the same life
as the other members and typically come from the same neighborhood or community.
Gang units are typically small. Even gang units that we may associate as large
such as the “Bloods” and “Crips” still function within a smaller unit of people
and breakdown in to smaller groups that associates them to a larger gang unit.
Still within these small groups the collective consciousness or their beliefs
within their gang society are strong. The have limited social interaction with
others. They avoid school, work, and home. Making their social bonds within the
society they live relatively weak. Their social interaction is within the gang
alone. This would be considered their intimate or personal contact. It exists
merely within the gang unit. This is why I would argue that it is difficult to
break down the gang unit or system. It functions much like an institution or
community. It serves a purpose to the individuals within the gang and breaking
down the solidarity of the group is complex. It cannot be done by simply
arresting members. Gangs will still exist within the justice system. Mechanical
Solidarity is a strong way of showing this relationship of gangs within the
larger societal structure. Society will only be able to break down the gang unit
by identifying what is causing the unity within the gangs and attempting to
break down the unit piece by piece.
I think that mechanical and organic solidarity are interesting
ways of looking at a society. It is interesting to see how these concepts can be
applied to institutions, communities and societies. The four characteristics of
mechanical solidarity can be applied to other systems besides gangs. I think
there a many systems or communities that can be compared to this concept. In
applying this concept we can see how Durkheim was thinking. We can see how
systems create solidarity and how breaking down systems with a strong solidarity
and collective conscious can be complicated and complex.
Haley Craig