Contract and social justice. Emile Durkheim's theory of integration of modern societies

Journal/Book: Kolner Z Soziol Sozialpsychol. 1997; 49: Postfach 5829, W-6200 Wiesbaden, Germany. Westdeutscher Verlag GmbH. 629.

Abstract: Several readings of Durkheim's concept of organic solidarity, as developed in the Division of labor in Society, refer to the insufficient differentiation of the notion of division of labor in order to explain shortcomings in Durkheim's account of integration of modern societies. In this essay it is argued that these problems result from Durkheim's overloading of contract as a social institution rather than in a lack of differentiation in his notion of division of labor. For Durkheim, the function of contract does not only include the reciprocal assurance of market participants to fulfil their agreed upon mutual obligations. Instead, it is intended in a much stronger sense: Contracts have the function to tie the sphere of the market to ideals of a just social order. However, Durkheim does nor succeed in showing how these ideas of social justice can prevail under conditions of decentralized exchange relations, without eliminating the market as steering mechanism of economic exchange.

Note: Article Beckert J, Free Univ Berlin, John F Kennedy Inst Nordamerikastudien, Lansstr 5-9, D-14195 Berlin, GERMANY

Keyword(s): EMBEDDEDNESS; DIVISION; LABOR

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