Solidarity in Europe: The History of an Idea

Solidarity in Europe is a comprehensive study of the idea of solidarity from the early nineteenth century to the present day. 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.

• A comprehensive study of the idea of solidarity • Explores the development of the idea in a range of different political parties in eight European nations • Provides a systematic analysis of the development and characteristics of the social democratic and Christian democratic ideas of solidarity

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.

\' … important and fascinating book [that] will be valuable to political theorists and sociologist … a rich, multifaceted presentation of different meanings of solidarity in social theory, socialist theory and religious ethics … \' Perspectives in Politics

\'Stjerno has produced a detailed thorough and that covers a wide spectrum of social and political thought...a particular important contribution … The book will be indispensable for anyone interested in the theoretical aspects of social welfare\'. Social Development Issues

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