Anomie, Durkheim

    Anomie is the idea that modernity causes a decline in moral regulation, leading to isolation and overspecialization in society.  Durkheim cites many contributors to this shift: the division of labor, rapid social change, the decline of religious power.  Increased crime and suicide are thought to be reactions to anomie.  “Anomy, therefore, is a regular and specific factor in suicide in our modern societies; one of the springs from which the annual contingent feeds.”  (Applerouth & Eddles, 2016, 119).

    I think that over we time have succumbed to anomie as a part of social life.  Suicide and crime are so prevalent now that we aren't shocked to hear about it when it happens.  We suffer from it today as a sort of numbing of the senses.  We are also more specialized than ever in our professions, making it harder than ever to connect with society.

    Solutions should call for greater equality, a smaller gap between the rich and poor, and, perhaps controversially, stronger solidarity on religion.  Equality makes everyone feel heard.  All professions matter; everyone should get paid respectable wages.  This would help organic solidarity make sense as a concept; if we’re all able to thrive without the burden of low wages and racial injustice, we’ll feel more connected to it.  Consequentially, there would be less crime.  Finally, religious involvement seems to be one of the hallmarks of a healthy society.  Durkheim says in The Elementary Form of Religious Life, “There can be no society which does not feel the need of upholding and reaffirming at regular intervals the collective sentiments and the collective ideas which make its unity and its personality.”  (Applerouth & Eddles, 2016, 137).