Final answer:
Society is held together by social solidarity, which includes factors such as kinship, shared location, and religion. Durkheim's concept of social solidarity explains the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity as societies advance. Marx focused on social conflict, while Weber emphasized the importance of social order and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Society is held together by social solidarity - the social ties that bind a group of people together. This includes factors such as kinship, shared location, and religion. Émile Durkheim proposed the idea of social solidarity, highlighting the importance of collective consciousness in maintaining stability in preindustrial societies.
As societies advance, they transition from mechanical solidarity where shared morals and values create strong bonds, to organic solidarity which is characterized by interdependence in an industrial society.
Karl Marx, on the other hand, believed that society exists in terms of social conflict, particularly class conflict. Max Weber emphasized the importance of social order and social stability in society, but noted that excessive rationalization can have negative consequences.