“Sociologists who study work claim that work has a significant impact on the social status and position of individuals within society as well as the character and nature of the society.” (Stewart, Zaaiman; 2015). The essay will discuss the three main approaches to work, Durkheim’s, Max Weber, and Marx using the information provided by the quote. Finally, the essay concludes with the definition of work as given by sociologists.
Marx’s first classic approach brings up the topic of Alienation. Marx defines alienation to be the inability to fulfill one’s work and the dissatisfaction with the work product. It is the inability to communicate one’s true essence through work or feeling distant from oneself. Alienation begins with the sale of merchandise on certain markets. This leads to private property- the individual’s ownership of the means for production. This will make it possible to think of private ownership. Alienation is increased by the fact that private property flows back into the systems that made it. Because work does not produce true fulfillment in this sense, workers are more likely to feel alienated than they are to own the goods they produce. Marx stated that the only way to understand the nature of work in society is to examine it in terms infrastructure. Haralambos & Holborn, 2004. Since workers don’t have control over the products that they produce, they become commodity and work is deemed a commodity. Their employment is determined by the law of supply-demand (wage labour). Marx states that capitalism can become self-destructive. Socialism or communism (specialized division of labour is eliminated) may be an option to solve the problem. Workers simultaneously produce goods for their community and themselves, thus meeting both individual and collective demands.
Durkheim claims that the divisions of labor are directly proportional to a society’s dynamic and moral density. This is defined as the sum of the people in a society and their socialization. (Durkheim; 1893). The Pre-industrial Society/ Mechanical solidarity does not have a specialised division for labour. The mechanical solidarity’s internal structure is similar because it includes juxtaposed political familiar groups. These are characterized in little social differentiation, common beliefs, and people who are involved hunting and gathering. Industrial societies/organic solidarity evolves through differences in the beliefs, actions and beliefs of individuals. This leads to individualism increasing but not advancing the collective conscious. Because all members of society have different skills, this creates an interdependency that forms the foundation of organic solidarity.
Anomie is a result of the rapid expansion and specialization in labour. This can threaten social solidarity. Anomie occurs when there is a decrease in normative behavior. Durkheim saw many anomies during the 19th century Industrial Society, such as marital and suicide rates, divorces, and conflict. As the norms that govern behaviour are being disrupted, the rapid social changes in industrial societies can lead to anomie. Durkheim believes in occupational associations as the way to reduce anomie.
Weber defined bureaucracy by defining it as “a highly structured formalized and impersonal organisation that can control and guide human behaviour.” Individuals who saw social action as rational, achieved the bureaucratic goals. Weber created a six-key element model of rational legal authority that allowed for the creation of an organizational structure that could coordinate many people’s efforts to accomplish administrative tasks and other organisational goals.
Weber’s Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism analyzes the relationship between the growth of Capitalism and Ascetic Protestantism. Weber believes that the Calvinists’ role played in the creation the capitalist mindset. According to Calvinism, God already determines who is saved or condemned. Weber’s Protestantism posits a worldly “calling” that gives worldly activity a religious nature (work is representative for godliness).
Marx’s final approach to the concept work is to look at alienation. Marx suggests that a communist/socialist socialism would be the best solution for alienated labor. Durkheim examines the problem of the division between mechanical and organic labour and states that occupational associations can solve anomie. Durkheim’s optimistic view of work is more favourable than Marx’s. Weber addresses his work approach by looking at bureaucracy, protestant work ethic.
