The Questions of Caste in Modern Society: Durkheim's Contradictory Theories of Race, Class, and Sex

Investigates several contradictions crucial to Emile Durkheim's theories of race, class, & sex that revolve around the issue of whether modern society (ie, industrial capitalism) is structured according to the principle of individual mobility or the principle of caste. It is found that Durkheim has both a dominant & subordinate theory for each category, & his theories of race & class differ significantly from his theories of sex. Durkheim's dominant theories of race & class & his subordinate theory of sex are theories of individuals in modern society. Conversely, his dominant theory of sex & his subordinate theories of race & class are theories of castes in modern society. Durkheim's social theory is deemed a quintessential construction of modernity, & Durkheim himself as a quintessential liberal of sorts. The contradictions at the heart of Durkheim's social theory are contradictions at the heart of modern society & liberal ideology. 74 References. Adapted from the source document.