Abstract
ABSTRACTAs a consequence of the recent financial and economic crisis, social cohesion and integration are in jeopardy all over Europe. In this context, scholars also speak of decreasing solidarity, which is defined as a normative obligation to help each other and to make sacrifices to reach common goals. By taking the empirical example of Austria, we argue that the meaning of solidarity is increasingly being contested. Various collective actors such as trade unions, civil society actors, but also right-wing populist parties are engaged in symbolic struggles over solidarity. To show this, we examine the different concepts and foundations of solidarity and analyse where and why they conflict with each other, referring to recent debates on political issues, such as the needs-based minimum benefit system and the access to the labour market for refugees.
Highlights
The recent financial and economic crisis had major effects on the European Union (EU)
The concrete fields of contention may relate to institutionalised solidarity in the form of the welfare state, to the boundaries of the community of solidarity, and to the goals and the means to achieve them. We address this symbolic struggle over solidarity by exploring the different concepts of solidarity of selected collective actors in Austria
By using Austria as an empirical example, we are able to observe the widening divide in European societies as if under a magnifying glass. This contribution aims at answering the research question as to what characterises the concepts of solidarity of different collective actors, how these manifest themselves in debates on topical political issues, and how the very meaning of solidarity is being contested in symbolic struggles
Summary
In Austria, we find a strong civil society, influential trade unions and a strong political far right with strongly contrasting positions on notions of solidarity What is more, these collective actors are engaged in conflicts over policies of inclusion and exclusion, in particular, regarding immigration and social security. By using Austria as an empirical example, we are able to observe the widening divide in European societies as if under a magnifying glass This contribution aims at answering the research question as to what characterises the concepts of solidarity of different collective actors, how these manifest themselves in debates on topical political issues, and how the very meaning of solidarity is being contested in symbolic struggles. We draw conclusions on different meanings and symbolic struggles regarding solidarity
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