Solidarity in Europe The History of an Idea

How has solidarity been defined, and how has it changed from the early 19th century until today? This unique volume systematically compares the many different conceptions of this central political idea held by Europeans over the past two centuries. It covers social and political theory, Protestant and Catholic social ethics and an analysis of how social democratic, Christian democratic, communist and fascist parties in most European countries have viewed solidarity.

Solidarity in Europe is a comprehensive study of the idea of solidarity from the early nineteenth century to the present. It covers social and political theory, Protestant and Catholic social ethics, and the development of the concept of solidarity in eight European nations - Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Steinar Stjernø examines how solidarity has been defined, and how this definition has changed since the early nineteenth century. He analyses different aspects of solidarity: what is the foundation of solidarity? Is it personal or common interest, 'sameness', altruism, religion, empathy, or cognition? What is the goal of solidarity? How inclusive should it be? The book also compares the different concepts of solidarity in social democratic, Christian democratic, communist and fascist parties.

Introduction: to study the idea of solidarity; Part I. Three Traditions of Solidarity: 1. Solidarity in classic social theory; 2. Politics: solidarity from Marx to Bernstein; 3. Religion: solidarity in Catholicism and Protestantism; Part II. The Idea of Solidarity in Politics in Western Europe: 4. European variations of solidarity discourses in social democracy; 5. A comparative perspective on social democratic solidarity; 6. The great challenger: the Christian democratic idea of solidarity; 7. The languages of modern social democratic and Christian democratic solidarity; 8. Two excursions: Marxist-Leninist and fascist solidarity; Part III. Present Precariousness of Solidarity: 9. Solidarity in modern social philosophy and Christian ethics; 10. Epilogue: hope and challenges - individualisation, consumerism and globalisation.

Steinar Stjernø examines the concept of solidarity in European politics, tracing its use by social theorists and politicians since the nineteenth century. This unique book systematically compares the many different conceptions of this central political idea held by Europeans over the past two centuries.