QUESTION OF CASTE IN MODERN SOCIETY - DURKHEIM CONTRADICTORY THEORIESOF RACE, CLASS, AND SEX

I explore a set of contradictions crucial to Durkheim's work, that rev olve around the issue of whether modern society (i.e., industrial capi talism) is structured according to the principle of individual mobilit y or the principle of caste. Specifically, I analyze Durkheim's theori es of race, class, and sex to determine if they describe modern societ y in terms of individuals or in terms of castes. I find that Durkheim has both a dominant and a subordinate theory for each category. I also find that his theories of race and class differ significantly from hi s theories of sex. Durkheim's dominant theories of race and class and his subordinate theory of sex are theories of individuals in modern so ciety. Conversely, his dominant theory of sex and his subordinate theo ries of race and class are theories of castes in modern society. I vie w Durkheim's social theory as a quintessential construction of moderni ty, and I view Durkheim as a quintessential liberal ''of sorts.'' I co nclude that the contradictions at the heart of Durkheim's social theor y are contradictions at the heart of modern society-and at the heart o f liberal ideology.