Definition Of Division Of Labour By Adam Smith

Adam Smith’s view on division of labour is based on the idea of achieving economic growth. In case of division of labour, workers are assigned to do specific, specialized task and will do work together. Each one got the job to do. Dividing a particular job in a smaller set of tasks not only increases efficiency but also increases specialization. Ford’s Assembly line of 20th century is a pioneer in this regard.
Emile Durkheim in reference to the division of labour in Society, attempts to determine what the basis of social solidarity in the society is and how it has evolved over time. Social solidarity is having influences of mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity. In case of mechanical solidarity which mainly deals with ancient societies

Societal prejudices force people to do particular kind of job irrespective of the fact that a person is competent enough for other activities as well. Most of the time, kind of job person does is based on the caste status of his parents.
Now coming back with another point of view, since the business and industrial dynamics keep on changing, so in such a scenario, a person should be ready with whatever opportunities he gets, ready to do the any occupation where his competencies match. But the caste system will not allow him to take the step and hinder his progress or growth. Caste system dictates in clear term one should do his job based on heredity not on the basis of competencies or skills acquired. So in one way or other it deprived a large community from getting its due, together with creating huge unemployment.
Some of the occupations in India, which are look down upon by majority of the population, generate feeling of disinterest among those who are involved in such kind of job. People who are doing the particular kind of job always carry a stigma with them when they move in society. All these lead to utter aversion for the job and affects efficiency at mind and body

This exploitation can be either based on class, caste or on gender. Unequal hierarchy has been created for the extraction of surplus which is exploitative in nature at the same time. The fundamental unit of this division of labour is the caste. Division of share of surplus is such that smaller share goes to bottom while highest to the top. An important fact regarding participating casts involved in production is that they are always on receiving end even when they are in majority. All these exploitation leads to division of labourers rather than division of labour. Adding to this, there are huge levels of discrimination based on caste-wise residence, deciding caste by birth, practice of endogamy etc. Castes which are coming lowest in the hierarchy are supposed to do dirtiest of the jobs and called as