ABSTRACT
It is not uncommon these days to claim that social solidarity is declining. Modern citizens are often said to be less willing to act unselfishly and support each other or to contribute to their community than they were in the past. A common complaint is that our fellow citizens aim for their self-interest at the expense of collective well-being. To many, this claim seems self-evident, making it unnecessary to provide any further evidence for it. However, there are many interpretations of solidarity, and it is often unclear to which of the many kinds they are referring. Not all interpretations of solidarity undergo the same development. Therefore, this chapter starts with a discussion of the various meanings and interpretations of solidarity. Next, it describes the state of social solidarity in a number of western countries. Finally, the evolution of social solidarity in past decades is described, to establish whether or not solidarity is really declining.
