Solidarity in Europe: the history of an idea

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

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

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