Solidarity is a frequently used term to describe phenomena reflecting a range of acts, emotions, expressions of concern and keenness towards other people and their adversity. As such, solidarity is, in theory, one among many opposites of indifference, like benevolence, charity, love, justice (in particular social justice), et cetera. Ist use is, however, not precise enough to distinguish solidarity from its conceptual relatives, but also to identify its relation to them. Furthermore, in theory its nature is still a matter of ongoing discussion; normatively, it is unclear whether solidarity is a value, a duty (and if so, of what kind), a virtue, a principle, an institutional feature or just an emotion. The first thematic unity of the seminar will, therefore, be devoted to reflecting upon solidarity´s concept and nature. After that, we will explore how, once we know whether and to what extent solidarity demands anything from people, it can be promoted in the context of representative democracy, both at the individual and at the institutional level. The question will be: “what can I, as a citizen, do to be solidary and to promote it, provided the opportunities and limitations of the political regime I live?” In a rather superficial manner due to the duration of the seminar, we will try to see whether solidarity fits institutionalized representative politics or, instead, whether it is best carried out beyond it.
- Kursleiter/in: Marco Antonio Toche Zevallos