Digest of terms

solidarity

social commitment on the part of individuals to work together and act as one in defence against some organised oppression or in pursuit of some agreed priority. Used as a more modern term for what might have been called fraternity in reference to some revolutionary cause or trade union activity (as exemplified in the name of the famous Polish TU).

In sociology the term received classical definition in Emil Durkheim's Division of Labour. He distinguished between what he called the mechanical solidarity of traditional small scale societies and kin groups - a condition into which one is born - and the organic solidarity of modern interdependent groups acting with shared - often work based - interests.

In moral education it is a priority to develop an understanding which is aware of the values and limits of social boundaries and belonging.