Explain what we learn about urban life from Ferdinand Tönnies, Emile Durkheim, Louis Wirth, and Georg Simmel. Based on what you have learned, can you envision ways to make our cities better?

Question

What is an Ideal response?

Answer 1

• Tönnies (1855–1937): Social life changed as rural living gave way to life in the industrial metropolis. He developed the contrasting concepts of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft.
• French sociologist Emile Durkheim (1858–1917): Rise of cities brought changes to the organization of society. Mechanical solidarity was found in rural life: social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values. Urban life creates organic solidarity, social bonds based on specialization and mutual interdependence.
• U.S. sociologist Louis Wirth (1897–1952): Because urbanites are surrounded by millions of other people, they never get to know most of those they encounter. This limited knowledge of others, coupled to the social diversity of the city, makes urbanites more tolerant than rural villagers.
• German sociologist Georg Simmel (1858–1918): People living in cities experience intense stimulation that overwhelms the senses and causes them to tune out most of it. By responding selectively to only certain people and situations, urbanites focus their time and energy on what really matters.