In "Basic Concepts of Sociology" he discusses the validity of order. What does that mean? Well, it's the validity of rules. If I think that it's not okay to leave the house naked, then how many other people also think that? If no one else felt that way then it wouldn't be a very valid rule.
Weber also asks why we follow the rules that we do as a society. He justifies the following of these rules by explaining that some of it is based on tradition, we've always followed them, so why question it now. He also mentions charisma. People in power often have it and so we listen to them more easily than if they did not. Weber also discusses the rationality of order. We as a society believe that without rules we would not have order and so we follow the rules for the good of the people.
Weber, Max. Basic Concepts of Sociology. (http://courses.djjr.net/soc112/readings/weber-basic-concepts-sociology-excerpts.html).
Durkheim
Organic verses Mechanical Solidarity. Mechanical solidarity is based on everyone in society working in the same way together, where everyone is fairly equal. Organic solidarity is based on everyone in society having very specialized positions and jobs to do. No one here is equal.
Tonnies
Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft. Gotta love those Germans.
Gemeinschaft is based around community and Gesellschaft is based around society. I see it as sort of the same switch that Durkheim talks about from mechanical to organic solidarity.
Olson
Mancur Olson discusses the "Logic of Collective Action". He explains that individuals act towards the collective good only if there is a reward to counteract their inherent selfishness. If we all were able to benefit from the work of others without having to do work ourselves then no work would get done at all. Olson states that in order to avoid this society must only hand out the benefits to those who are contributing.
Olson, Mancur. Mancur Olson (Wikipedia Article). (http://courses.djjr.net/soc112/syllabus/index.html).
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