What is mechanical solidarity characterized by?

Mechanical solidarity is characterized by social cohesion based on shared beliefs, values, and norms within a community. This concept, introduced by sociologist Émile Durkheim, describes societies in which individuals are connected to one another through collective consciousness, often typical of smaller, more agrarian communities where people have similar experiences and lifestyles. In such societies, the social fabric is woven tightly through shared traditions, customs, and a strong moral consensus.

This form of solidarity contrasts with organic solidarity, where social cohesion arises from the interdependence that results from the specialization of labor in more complex, often urban societies. In mechanical solidarity, the unity comes from the similarities among individuals rather than the differences, emphasizing conformity and collective identity. Thus, this choice accurately reflects the essence of mechanical solidarity as a social bond rooted in shared beliefs and cultural commonalities.