Cooperation in a society plays a very important role because it enables the social structure in a society. According to Durkheim, solidarity is important to understand cooperation in a society. The following are the two kinds of society referred to, by Durkheim:
(i) Agricultural society - Durkheim explained mechanical solidarity which is present in the agricultural operations, where most of the members live similar lives with little division of labour. For example, activities like transplantation of crops, tilling the land and ploughing the field are activities not associated with specialization of labour.
(ii) Industrial society - Here Durkheim explained organic solidarity, which is found in industrial operations and includes a specialized division of labour. For example, different stages of production at a manufacturing unit require specialization of labour of workers as they have to operate different kinds of machines.
Both of them are forms of cooperation in a society.