Durkheim: Pandemic and Functionalism

Table of Contents

Introduction
Karl Marx: Pandemic and Conflict theory
Weber: Pandemic and Bureaucracy
Weber: Pandemic and Types of Authority
References

Introduction

According to De Souza (2018), Durkheim defined the concept of division of labor as follows: “a way of investigating the moral consequences of the growing complexity within modern societies” (p. 655). An example of that concept, in this case, is the process of drug manufacturing, distributing, and medical care and information providing. From this perspective, every worker is able to use and master one particular set of skills (“Theoretical Perspectives on Society,” n.d).

Durkheim explained that mechanical solidarity is the type of social order maintained by the phenomenon of collective cultural consciousness on familiar actions basis, and it unites preindustrial societies (“Theoretical Perspectives on Society,” n.d). Nevertheless, organic solidarity is the order based on acceptance of economic and social distinguishes and it replaces the previous one in industrial societies. Durkheim defined social anomie as a situation when a community does not have the support of a firm collective consciousness, which leads to chaos (“Theoretical Perspectives on Society,” n.d). It can be avoided by a set of shared norms redeveloping.

Karl Marx: Pandemic and Conflict theory

According to “Theoretical Perspectives on Society” (n.d), Karl Marx defined the concept of conflict theory as follows: “society is in a state of perpetual conflict because of competition for resources” (Karl Marx and Conflict Theory). An example of that concept, in this case, is the struggle to access necessary material resources to ensure safe existence during the pandemic. In accordance with the theory, capitalism is considered a negative tendency, leading to economic and social inequity. This order is a way of economy organizing resources that belong mostly to individual people and companies than to the government, which is the reason that supports the mentioned claim.

Exploitation is the phenomenon that implies forcing laborers to sell their work powers to capitalists (“Theoretical Perspectives on Society,” n.d). It leads to a conflict between classes in terms of efficiency, as the labor is purchased for less than the full value of alternatively produced commodities. Karl Marx proposed that the false order should be replaced with class consciousness (“Theoretical Perspectives on Society,” n.d). Therefore, conflicts result in the overthrow of capitalism with the following establishments of the new order called Communism.

Weber: Pandemic and Bureaucracy

According to Serpa and Ferreira, Max Weber defined the concept of bureaucracy as follows: “phenomenon of affirmation of the rationalization of the world” (p. 12). An example of that concept, in this case, is managing the pandemic through sets of rules and regulations establishing and reconsidering the most significant specialization of labor. Utilitarian or remunerative organizations are focused on providing financial or other personal benefits (Barkan, 2011). The typical instances of such units are business ones, which participate in resource creation directly. The other examples are educational facilities, which benefit both people working at them and students.

Normative or voluntary organizations enable fulfilling individuals’ moral necessities (Barkan, 2011). Instances of them are churches and civic and political objectives groups. Coercive organizations are units, participation in which is not voluntary, and their members are people who violated the law or have been approved to be mentally ill (Barkan, 2011). Common instances of them are prisons and psychiatric institutions, which assist in maintaining order within society. Max Weber defines such a situation when people have to act without thinking only according to rules as an iron cage, in which individuals are trapped (“Theoretical Perspectives on Society,” n.d).

Weber: Pandemic and Types of Authority

Max Weber developed a classification system for authority. The first type, called the rational-legal one, has the power to manage on a legitimate basis in accordance with written rules and regulations (“Reading: Types of authority,” n.d). The second type is the charismatic one, based on a leader’s personal qualities and abilities to inspire and lead. Weber claims that such individuals have power for short durations and have equal chances to be either heroic or tyrannical. The last type of authority is the traditional one, and its legitimacy is based on an entrenched state of affairs. One common instance is the monarchy, in which power is inherited according to the acknowledged centuries ago rules.