Past and present in sociological theory

some similarities and differences between Émile Durkheim and Norbert Elias

Enio Passiani

pp. 109-125

in: François Dépelteau, Tatiana Savoia Landini (eds), Norbert Elias and social theory, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2013

Abstract

Posing a possible theoretical affinity between Émile Durkheim and Norbert Elias is not new. Other authors have pointed to such a relationship (Ferreira 2010; Zabludovsky 2007; Coury 2001; Lahire 2001), while not excluding differences, of course. In general, the most marked similarity noted in the sociological literature—except for Lahire's approach, which poses affinity from a different angle—has to do with processes of self-control that life in society enables individuals to develop and even demands of them.² Taking quite different paths, both Durkheim and Elias reach very similar conclusions.³

Cited authors

Durkheim Emile

Elias Norbert