Solidarity

Solidarity (derived from the Latin solidus for pure, genuine or fixed; adjective: solidarity ) refers to a, mostly named in an ethical- political context attitude of solidarity with - and support of - ideas, activities and goals of others. It also expresses the cohesion between like-minded or similar individuals and groups, and the use of shared common values ​​of ( see also principle of solidarity ).

• 2.1 Roman and today's law
• 2.2 Christianity
• 2.3 institutionalization of the principle of solidarity 2.3.1 Trade Union Movement
• 2.3.2 Socialist and social democratic parties
• 2.3.3 principle of solidarity and insurance: mutual insurance
• 2.3.4 Further development of the concept of solidarity in government and business
• 2.3.5 Selective criticism in economic liberalism

Concept and definitions

Survey

The term solidarity is used in many ways.

• He referred in particular as a basic principle of human society a sense of individuals and groups belonging together. This is expressed for each other in mutual aid and advocacy. Solidarity can extend from a small family group of up to states and state communities.
• In the workers' movement "Solidarity " is highlighted as a virtue of the working class ( sa brotherhood ). It has a similar meaning to the word " fellowship " in the military or anywhere else here.

Sometimes a distinction is made between

• Solidarity of sentiment ( Unity Consciousness )
• Solidarity of action ( mutual helpfulness) and
• Interests Solidarity (which is effectively balance of interests in a given situation and ends after reaching the common goal ).

In sociology, Émile Durkheim distinguished between

• Mechanical solidarity based on common characteristics of a given group (eg, We workers, We women, we German ), and
• Organic solidarity, the basis of which is the reliance on one another (eg, specialists in work-sharing companies).

Closely connected with the labor movement is the demand of international solidarity. She showed up in the 19th century, especially in the support of the Polish struggle for freedom by the International Working Men's Association. At the congresses of the Second International, the question was discussed whether the workers could be prevented by a general strike in various countries the looming First World War. Effective international solidarity actions were for the young Soviet Union: 1920 prevented the British labor movement by the threat of a general strike by the intervention of England in the Polish- Russian war. The fight against fascism was complicated by the split in the labor movement into a socialist and a Communist International. Today the issues of international solidarity are discussed under the conditions and effects of globalization.

Definition by Alfred Vierkandt

The sociologist Alfred Vierkandt (1928 ) defined as follows solidarity: " Solidarity is the attitude of a community with strong internal ties ". And: "Solidarity is the feeling of togetherness that can be practical and should be. "

Solidarity implies a principle of humanity; they constituted " free will " (Karl Otto Hondrich / Claudia Koch - Arzberger, solidarity in modern society, Frankfurt am Main 1994).

Historical Aspects

Roman law and today

In Roman law meant solidarity ( obligatio in solidum ) a special form of liability: Several owe a performance so that each of them is obliged to provide all the power that the creditors but overall they may claim only once. The word " solidarity " means not the unity of the parties, but that each " in solidum " = on the whole, for the total amount ( lit. translation ) liable. In law, is now used instead of the foreign word solidarity regularly the verdeutschte term total debt. The situation is different in older laws, such as § 43 Section 2 of the Companies Act, " managers who violate their obligations, the Company jointly and severally liable for the damage. "

Christianity

In the Christian tradition of solidarity is counted along with personality, Welfare and subsidiarity to the (classical) socio-philosophical principles. With the statements of the World Council of Churches, the Encyclical Pacem in Terris of John XXIII. and the Second Vatican Council, the global dimension of solidarity has been taken into account. International solidarity was developed in the encyclical Populorum Progressio even further and made ​​by John Paul II, the promoter of the Polish labor movement Solidarity in 1987 in the encyclical Sollicitudo Rei Socialis the focus of papal social teaching.

In the Creed of the Würzburg Synod "Our hope ," "Ways to discipleship " is formulated in solidarity advocacy for the poor and vulnerable as a constitutive content of faith in Part III. Built in 1997 by the Evangelical Church jointly issued in Germany and the German Bishops Conference Social Word " For a future of solidarity and justice " calls as a source of solidarity in the Christian faith that reminded and told story of the mercy of God, " the compassionate and supportive care to the poor, the weak and the disadvantaged " motivated (96). Jesus' message is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament promise of life for the poor, the small and non-violence. "He's gone the way of solidarity, compassion and non-violence itself. " (99 ) The use of Solidarity am one of the constitutive features of the church (101 ), since " the decision on the final communion with God the people [ is ] dependent on of lived solidarity with the least " (106).

In his Apostolic Letter Gospel gaudium writes Pope Francis, the word " solidarity " have worn off a bit and am sometimes misinterpreted. It requires more than some occasional generous deeds, namely, a new mentality, " the opposite of appropriation of goods by a few thinks in terms of the Community and of the primacy of life for all " (188 ). Solidarity was a spontaneous reaction of the person who the social function of property and the universal destination of goods - recognize as realities - which are older than the private ownership. Because the hats and Mehren private ownership only by justifying that they serve the public interest better, "so that solidarity must be lived as the decision to the poor to give back what is due to him (189).

Institutionalization of the principle of solidarity

Trade union movement

In 19th century Europe has become an institution of the solidarity principle in the context of industrialization: The mutual protection among the workers against for them as existentially threatening perceived developments of capitalist industrialization was the basis and battle cry of the labor movement. Workers joined in solidarity associations (eg, trade unions ) together and fought together for better working conditions, shorter working hours and higher wages.

In the course of a strike, which was carried by a majority of the Polish population and understood by her as an anti- communist movement in 1980 joined the Polish workers of the shipyard in Gdansk to the "Solidarność " (Solidarity ) together. Even if the lost "Solidarity" in the late 20th century political influence, the term "Solidarity" in the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the 21st century for the beginning of the end of the communist dictatorship.

Socialist and social democratic parties

In the 20th century solidarity to one of the central concepts in socialist / social democratic parties was.

Principle of solidarity and insurance: mutual insurance

The institutionalized solidarity principle is also used in certain legal forms of insurance expressed, in the four classical risk areas of work: illness, accident, old age pensions and unemployment; compare the legal form of " mutual insurance company " ( mutuals ). Each member of this community contributions paid into the common, managed by an insurance company office. It will be those who suffer a loss, provided financial resources to cover available.

When unemployment is a risk community against loss of income caused by unemployment hedges.

Further development of the concept of solidarity in government and business

At least with the advent of modern, industrialized societies presents itself reinforces the question of how genuine solidarity in the face of an increasing variety of living conditions and in the context of increasingly complex and global relationships in the economy and society can be realized and organized. Basically is also the problematic relationship between solidarity - which is directed to the group and the individual at least demanded loyalty and commitment - and individualism - which emphasizes the self-determination of individuals and their legal position - to the debate.

In the specific policy, this leads to situations question the appropriate relationship between social protection and economic ownership, as has been discussed controversially in the course of reforming the welfare state, liberal economic standards. Another critical point is the solidarity - setting out how, among other things V. Munoz- Dardé - in the requirements of political justice.

Selective criticism in economic liberalism

Critics of institutionalized solidarity as a tangible reality in about welfare state institutions, have also pointed out that here the concept of solidarity 'm taken wrongly claim as much solidarity enclosing voluntary. Contact with it, but at least, however, that this should even if not directly against the model of the welfare state itself, based on the concept of solidarity.

Quotes

• "Forward, and do not forget / which uns're strength lies! / When starving or when eating / forward and do not forget / solidarity "( Bertolt Brecht, in 1929, the chorus of Solidarity song )
• "Solidarity is the tenderness of the people. " ( Che Guevara )
• " Only a solidary world can be a just and peaceful world. " ( Richard von Weizsäcker, responsibility for social progress and human rights, 1986)
• "Especially with the concept of solidarity can see how emotional attitudes and bonds are declared to value and vice versa, a value is emotionally charged and well-founded one. However, this value context refers to culture. "