The concept of solidarity: emerging from the theoretical shadows?

Wilde, L ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5948-9870, 2007. The concept of solidarity: emerging from the theoretical shadows? The British Journal of Politics & International Relations, 9 (1), pp. 171-181. ISSN 1467-856X

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Abstract

The concept of solidarity has been relatively neglected by social scientists since Durkheim's pioneering work in the late 19th century. The discipline of politics has been guilty of overlooking this 'subjective' element of community life, but recent works by Stjernø and Brunkhorst reflect a growing awareness of the theoretical significance of the concept. Whereas early liberal attempts to theorise solidarity took the nation state to be the appropriate community for its realisation, the emergence of globalisation raises the possibility of human solidarity developing in the global community. Traditional forms of solidarity have been dissipated by the social changes accompanying globalisation, but they were often locked into the defence of particular interests. New forms may be emerging to rekindle the broader vision of human solidarity. Recent work by writers such as Habermas, Honneth, Rorty and Touraine focuses on widening and deepening democratic participation and/or the articulation of our ethical obligations in various ways. It is argued here that these perspectives need to be supplemented by a radical humanist approach grounded in a normative theory of human self-realisation.

Item Type:	Journal article
Description:	The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com
Publication Title:	The British Journal of Politics & International Relations
Creators:	Wilde, L.
Publisher:	Political Studies Association and Blackwell Publishing
Date:	2007
Volume:	9
Number:	1
ISSN:	1467-856X
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1111/j.1467-856X.2007.00275.x DOI
Rights:	Journal compilation © 2010 Political Studies Association and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:06
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:19
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7716

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