Structural-functional approach
The Sociological perspective of The Division of Labor in Society is the functionalist perspective or the structural-functional approach. In the structural-functionalist school of thought, sociologists view the different parts of society as interacting and contributing towards the stable functioning of the entire society. Durkheim was a functionalist, and this is further echoed in his work Division of Labor in Society. Throughout this book, he describes how the individuals and the division of labour amongst them contribute towards social solidarity- mechanical or organic. He also described the role of crime and punishment in society and its contribution to the society.
Solidarity
The main theme in this book is the types of solidarity. Durkheim observed the primitive and modern societies and identified the division of labor, and the kind of solidarity characteristic of the type of division of labor. Durkheim theorized that in primitive society, due to the lack of division of labour, there existed a mechanical solidarity. Individuals performed similar tasks and were dependent on each other. This further involved a strong collective consciousness, which is the holding of common beliefs, morals and values, characteristic of primitive society.
With industrialization, urbanization and later capitalism, the type of solidarity which would characterize the modern society is organic solidarity. The individuals have different tasks and careers, and each depend on one another for the smooth functioning of their lives, and of society. Durkheim further proposed that in such a society, the collective consciousness on the basis of morals and beliefs would weaken, and the solidarity due to dependence of tasks would rise.
Law and punishment
Durkheim, while describing the types of solidarity, also gave an account of the types of law present in each of the two types of societies. Since the primary aim of law is to instill justice and enforce obedience, Durkheim also described the form of punishment exercised under each type of law. The first type of law is Repressive law was characteristic of primitive society. Such a law imposes some type of punishment on the perpetrator. Any crime is considered to be against the society as a whole, and thus corresponds to the center of collective consciousness.
The second type of law is Restitutive law, which does not always cause suffering for perpetrator, but instead tries to restore the relationships that were disturbed and bring things back to order. Restitutive law is characteristic of the modern society and works through the more specialized institutions of society, such as courts and lawyers.
