Durkheim, Tarde, Latour

This chapter is motivated by the recent reappraisal of the historical debate between Gabriel Tarde and Durkheim. The current interest in this debate is sparked by French actor-network theorist Bruno Latour’s attempt to repatriate Tarde, at the expense of Durkheim, as the true “classic” of (French) sociology. This chapter investigates the central issues to the historical debate, and it discusses Latour’s recent appropriation of it, his interpretation of Tarde, and his critique of Durkheim. First, the author delves into the young Durkheim’s programmatic ideas for his new science of sociology and seeks to make Tarde’s (and Latours) objections understandable. It is demonstrated, however, that while it is true that the young Durkheim was ardently critical toward the concept of imitation, it stands, rather surprisingly, at the very center of his late sociology of religion. Second, the author discusses some main ambivalences in Tarde’s work of great significance for the debate. Third, the author delves into Latour’s critique of Durkheim, assesses the merits of this critique, and intimates a possible compromise between Latour and Durkheim.