Abstract: This paper examines the formation of Émile Durkheim's general sociology and its thesis, attempting to demonstrate that the system of social science that Durkheim built from the particular to the general is directly related to his attempt to expand the classical analytical framework of political science, while his general sociology plays the role of traditional political science.Following Durkheim's original thesis of "the relationship between individualism and socialism", this study deals successively with the links between his theory and socialism, individualism, the political doctrine of Montesquieu. It provides a framework for understanding his political doctrine:drawing on Montesquieu's doctrine of intermediate bodies, Durkheim injects the principle of individualism into Saint-Simon's socialism to solve the practical problems of liberalism in France since the Revolution, and thus incorporates the economic life of modern society into the political issues.This paper further argues that Durkheim extends the political sphere from a pure theory of government to the totality of society with the aim of taking the latter as the primary problem of modern politics. In other words, in order to shift the issues of modern politics from the limitation of government forms and the pure construction of the legal system, Durkheim regards the social sphere as an overarching category that unifies all the problems of modern politics. It is only within this framework his political theory can be properly understood.Finally, the paper also points out that Durkheim does not deny the primacy of politics and the status of politicians, and the legacy of his political theory with civilizational and holistic overtones is far from being fully explored.

Key words: political art, general sociology, society, counterpoise