Final answer:
Emile Durkheim posited mechanical solidarity within traditional rural societies and organic solidarity within modern urban societies (a). Mechanical solidarity is based on shared work and values, while organic solidarity arises from specialization in work and interdependence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Émile Durkheim identified two forms of social solidarity: mechanical solidarity, found in simple, often rural societies based on tradition and unity, and organic solidarity, found in more complex, often urban societies with a specialized division of labor. Mechanical solidarity is characterized by a homogeneity of individuals who share similar work, education, and lifestyle, leading to a strong collective conscience. In contrast, organic solidarity arises from the interdependence of individuals who perform specialized tasks, creating a social cohesion based on the need for cooperation among people with different roles and skills within a society.
Mechanical solidarity is common in preindustrial or 'traditional' societies, where strong bonds of kinship and a low division of labor result in shared morals and values. However, as societies become more industrially advanced, transitioning into what Durkheim calls 'modern' societies, the complex division of labor leads to organic solidarity. Here, the social order is based around an acceptance of economic and social differences, and a reliance on each other to perform specialized tasks is crucial for societal function.
Durkheim's theory reflects how societies evolve in response to industrialization and capitalistic developments, moving from the collective conformity of mechanical solidarity to the individualism and functional interdependence of organic solidarity.