Durkheimism: a model for external constraint without a theory of violence

Abstract

Durkheimism is often regarded as being unconcerned with the question of violence because it considers manifestations of violence to be a residue of irrationality. However, the Durkheimian model places great importance on the notion of coercion, which condenses the action of the social on the individual. The consistency of Durkheimism can be seen more clearly if we make a slight distinction between the Durkheimian model and Durkheim's work. In the model, instead of a social holism seen as an organic totality, we find relativism grounded in a sociological externalism, in which the only basis for sociology is the externality of social facts to individuals. The social is then no longer identified with an organic totality but with an ecosystem of plural, heterogeneous norms in which violence is not a residue of subjectivity but the effect of an always possible conflict between norms. The Durkheimian model can thus identify all forms of violence because it can proceed without a general theory of violence. We then obtain a new investigative tool: “look for forms or expressions of social coercion and violence and you will find social facts and underlying regularities to study”.