The main difference between Durkheim and Merton anomie is that Durkheim’s theory of anomie describes the lack of social cohesion and solidarity that often comes with rapid social change while Merton’s theory of anomie mainly describe how anomie leads to deviance and crime in society.

Anomie refers to the lack of social or ethical standards in a group or individuals. This term is sometimes understood as normlessness. Emile Durkheim was the first to introduce the term anomie. Later, the American sociologist Robert K. Merton developed and expanded on this theory.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Durkheim Anomie
     – Definition, Features 
2. What is Merton Anomie
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Durkheim and Merton Anomie
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Anomie, Durkheim Anomie, Merton Anomie, Normlessness

What is Durkheim Anomie

The French sociologist Emile Durkheim was the first to introduce the term anomie. Durkheim first mentioned the concept of anomie in his 1893 work “The Division of Labour in Society”. He also described this concept in his 1987 work “Suicide”. If we are to analyze the concept of anomie in all his work, this concept would be somewhat ambiguous and contradictory.

In “The Division of Labour in Society”, he explored the topic of the anomic division of labour, a phenomenon that involves disordered division of labour where some groups no longer fit in as they did in the past. Durkheim explained this as a result of industrialization in European countries and the change in the nature of work along with the development of a more complex division of labour. He also used the concepts of mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity to explain anomie. He further explained that anomie does not occur in organic solidarity since it’s a heterogeneous form of solidarity that allows the division of labour to evolve as needed so that no one is left out and all individuals play a meaningful role.

Figure 1: Emile Durkheim

In his 1938 work “Suicide”, Durkheim also explored the concept of anomie. He argued that anomic suicide is a result of people taking their own lives due to the breakdown of social standards essential for regulating behaviour. Moreover, he explained that whenever a social system is in a state of anomie, common values, ethics, or meanings are no longer valid or accepted, and new standards or values have not been developed. In such a society, many individuals feel a sense of futility, lack of purpose, despair, and emotional emptiness. This also can affect the breakdown of social or community bonds.

What is Merton Anomie

In 1938, the American sociologist Robert K. Merton linked the concept of anomie to deviance and created the structural strain theory. This explicates how anomie results in deviance and crime. According to this theory, when society does not provide people with the legitimate means to achieve culturally valued goals, they seek out alternative ways to break from the norms and achieve their goals. For example, if society does not provide enough jobs that will help people to survive, many will turn into criminal or illegitimate methods to earn money. Therefore, according to Merton, deviance and crime are a result of an anomic state of disorder.

Difference Between Durkheim and Merton Anomie

Definition

Durkheim’s theory of anomie refers to normless as well as the lack of social cohesion and solidarity that often comes with rapid social change. Merton’s theory of anomie, on the other hand, is an extension of Durkheim’s anomie and mainly describe how anomie leads to deviance and crime.

Nature

According to Durkheim, anomie is normlessness, which is a result of the lack of social cohesion and solidarity that typically accompanies rapid social change. However, according to Merton’s theory of anomie, most people attempt to achieve culturally valued goals. When society does not provide people with the legitimate means to achieve culturally valued goals, they seek out alternative ways to break from the norms and achieve their goals, resulting in crime and deviance.

Conclusion

Durkheim’s theory of anomie describes the lack of social cohesion and solidarity that often comes with rapid social change while Merton’s theory of anomie mainly describe how anomie leads to deviance and crime in society. Thus, this is the main difference between Durkheim and Merton anomie.

Reference:

1. Crossman, Ashley. “The Sociological Definition and Implications of Anomie.” ThoughtCo
2. “Anomie.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Durkheim-vignette-png-9” By verapatricia_28 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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