ABSTRACT
This concluding chapter provides a summary of the findings, linking them back to the research questions outlined in Chapter 1 and current academic literature on transnational solidarity and European integration. Furthermore, it discusses the implications of the results for the prospects of social and political cohesion in the European Union (EU). The chapter highlights that generally, citizens are ready to extend solidarity to fellow European citizens and even persons beyond the borders. However, their considerations are context-dependent. Our focus group discussions revealed recurring caveats indicating potential limits of commitment to transnational solidarity. Most importantly, if a crisis is perceived as self-inflicted and can be attributed to someone’s wrongdoing, support for solidarity wavers. The chapter concludes with some reflections on the possible limitations of focus groups as a research method and some suggestions for future academic research, such as going beyond the EU contexts or zooming in on different regions within the EU.
