Solidarity in Europe
The History of an Idea

A comprehensive study of the idea of solidarity from the early nineteenth century to the present.

Steinar Stjernø (Author)

9780521843942, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 February 2005

408 pages
23.5 x 16.1 x 3.6 cm, 0.769 kg

Review of the hardback: ' … the book must be regarded as a useful complement to the political science literature on the European welfare state.' Political Studies Review

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.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], European history [HBJD], Regional studies [GTB]