Solidarity: Post-Modern Perspectives

Abstract

Notions of solidarity are often advanced as rallying cries for various social goals. They are forwarded in appeal to sacrifice on behalf of others. They are also employed in invitations to establish in society generally some of the bonds found in voluntary communities.¹ Appeals to solidarity are often engaged as well as indirect pleas that one be concerned for those in need. It is frequently difficult to gauge the sincerity and depth of many of the announcements of solidarity with those in need. As one moves from recognizing the hungry and the imperilled to fashioning particular large-scale social attempts to feed the hungry and protect the endangered, one fmds substantial disagreements. First, one must note how reticent most individuals are to provide resources to those in need. Though the commentator for this paper has sworn a vow of poverty, it is not as if he or many reading this paper live anywhere close to the poverty level. Indeed, any of the funds invested in buying the bottles of good wine we are likely to have consumed in the last year would probably have saved starving children in especially distressed areas of the world. When one speaks of solidarity, one surely means to keep it within limits