The two articles in question dwell upon such issues as division and stratification of the society (social, economic, cultural and so on). At the same time, the articles focus on different aspects of people’s lives to reveal the division and analyze its causes and effects. Thus, Edles and Appelrouth (2014) concentrate on Durkheim’s theory of labor division while Smelser and Swedberg (2010) analyze consumption and its causes and effects. It is possible to note that the two articles provide valuable insights into the problem and they can be regarded as two facets of a multifaceted issue. Thus, Edles and Appelrouth (2014) summarize the theory of Emile Durkheim. The theory is based on the assumption that there is a particular division of labor in the human society. At that, Durkheim sees two types of such division: mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity. The researcher states that mechanical solidarity is a characteristic feature of ‘simple’ societies where all works are completed by all members of the society irrespective of their gender or status. Whereas, organic solidarity is found in the vast majority of modern society. In such societies, different works are completed by different individuals or groups. It is noteworthy that individuals (or groups of people) collaborate and they do not need to complete similar tasks as they form a complex system where different groups work in particular spheres and contribute to the development of the entire society. It is necessary to add that the researcher stresses that labor division cannot be regarded as something negative. At that, it is noted that there can be extreme cases of such a division, which can negatively affect development of the society. These extreme cases involve alienation of individuals who do not feel that they are a part of a larger group and work for the good of all. As a result, classes or even castes appear, which is a negative trend for a society. It is possible to note that Edles and Appelrouth (2014) provide a good summary of major ideas of the theory. However, it would be beneficial for the article to have a broader perspective. Clearly, the purpose of the writing was to make the reader acquainted with the theory, but it could become more understandable if it had more links with the modern times. Durkheim’s theory was developed at the end of the nineteenth century, but it is still applicable in modern settings. However, the article does not link the theory to the present-day societies, which makes it weaker. At the same time, the article can be still seen as a very good explanatory or even background writing for the other article under consideration. Durkheim’s theory explains why social stratification occurs in modern societies. As has been mentioned above, Smelser and Swedberg (2010) concentrate on the theory of consumption and the way sociology contributes to development of the theory. First, the researchers stress that economists often focus on consumption as a measure necessary to analyze production and distribution or rather the outcome of the two. At the same time, Smelser and Swedberg (2010) note that consumption provides valuable insights into the stratification of the society. The researchers analyze the division in such spheres as economic status (labor), ethnicity and gender. The researchers argue that consumption often reveals peculiarities of people’s social, economic status as well as their ethnicity and gender. Thus, it is clear that people have different buying preferences and researchers prove that these preferences are shaped by aspects mentioned above. Int