The fact that there is a political sociology to be found in Durkheim has caused polemic and is a controversial matter, in Brazil as well as France, particularly because this sub-field does not appear within the author's own division of Sociology into sub-areas. This paper argues that there are elements that enable us to recognize a Durkheimian political sociology. This is concretized through a detailed examination of the theoretical evolution of his thought since he returned from Germany in 1886. Following in the tracks of Marcel Mauss, who analyzed his work, and picking up as well from where his most important biographers (Lukes and Fournier) leave off, we look at how themes that are properly political (in particular, the State) emerge within Durkheimian sociology. We conclude by asserting that it is not through reflection on the issue of power (or the State) in itself, but rather on the social function of this power and/or this State and its relationship to social mores that Durkheim's political sociology should be understood.
Emile Durkheim; State; Political Sociology; sociological theory