Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. This book deals with a conceptual and theoretical reflection of the role of the mass media in public debates about solidarity. It looks at solidarity contestation in print media by analysing political claims covered by national newspapers. The book discusses how public debates amplify certain developments within political debates among European institutions and member states in regard to the essence and future of solidarity, underlining the particular importance the principle of solidarity has and is still playing in the architecture of the European Union. It critically examines political developments that tend to debilitate the notion of solidarity among European citizens and European member states, and indicate the importance of solidarity contestations – and the moment of generalised European solidarity during late 2015 – in the constant reproduction of this principle.