The main difference between anomie and alienation is that anomie is the disintegration of normal ethics or social standards, while alienation is the estrangement or detachment from some essential aspect of their nature or from society.
In sociology, anomie and alienation are two inter-related concepts. The sociologist, Émile Durkheim introduced the notion of anomie, while Karl Marx introduced the notion of alienation.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Anomie
– Definition, Features
2. What is Alienation
– Definition, Features
3. What is the Relationship Between Anomie and Alienation
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Anomie and Alienation
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Anomie, Alienation
What is Anomie
Anomie basically refers to the lack of normal ethics or social standards. Thus, normlessness refers to this same concept. It was introduced by the sociologist, Émile Durkheim. According to Durkheim, anomie occurs during and after periods of drastic and rapid changes to the social, political, or economic structures of society. Thus, this is a transition phase where the values and standards common during one period are no longer valid, and new values or standards have not yet been formed. At this stage, the system is broken down, and people no longer know what is expected of them.
Moreover, people who live in such times feel disconnected from their society, leading to the feeling that they do not belong and are not connected to others. Therefore, anomie can result in feelings like hopelessness, frustration, despair, and lack of purpose. Durkheim also states that anomie can result in deviance and crime, as well as depression and suicide.
What is Alienation
In a general sense, alienation is the feeling that you are not part of a group, or that you have no connection with the people around you. We can define it as the estrangement of individuals from some essential aspect of their nature or from society, typically resulting in feelings of powerlessness or helplessness.
Furthermore, the sociological use of this term originates from Karl Marx’s concept of alienation. According to Marx, the capitalist system of production, which involves rich owners and managers who purchase labour from workers, causes the alienation of the entire working class. He suggested four different ways in which workers face alienation.
- Alienated from their own labour power
- Alienated from the products of their labour
- Also, alienated from each other
- Alienated from their true inner sense and the pursuit of happiness
Furthermore, the sociologist Melvin Seeman proposed five features attributed to the phenomenon of social alienation: powerlessness, meaningless, social isolation, and self-estrangement. Sociologists have also identified various causes for alienation. In addition to working and living in a capitalist system, as suggested by Marx, sociologists identify economic instability and the upheaval caused by it as a major cause of social alienation. Another cause is migrating to another country or region. It has also been identified that people at the lower end of the social hierarchy are more likely to face alienation. This includes people of lower economic backgrounds, minority ethnicities as well as people of colour.
Relationship Between Anomie and Alienation
- Anomie can result in alienation.
- Both can cause despair, hopelessness, and frustration.
Difference Between Anomie and Alienation
Definition
Anomie is the disintegration of the norms and values that were previously common to the society while alienation is the estrangement of individuals from some essential aspect of their nature or from society, typically resulting in feelings of powerlessness or helplessness.
Introduction
The sociologist, Émile Durkheim, introduced the notion of anomie while Karl Marx introduced the notion of alienation.
Conclusion
The main difference between anomie and alienation is that anomie is the disintegration of normal ethics or social standards, while alienation is the estrangement or detachment from some essential aspect of their nature or from society.
Reference:
1. Crossman, Ashley. “Understanding Alienation and Social Alienation.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 11, 2020, Available here.
2. Crossman, Ashley. “The Sociological Definition of Anomie.” ThoughtCo, Mar. 8, 2020, Available here.
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