Solidarity in Theory and Practice: A Redefinition Through Empirical Insights

Solidarity, a multifaceted concept with profound social and political implications in contemporary democracies, has inspired extensive debate across disciplines such as political theory, sociology, and social psychology. Despite its historical significance and today's relevance, the theoretical and empirical dimensions of solidarity remain insufficiently integrated. This paper seeks to address this gap by developing a redefinition of solidarity that synthesises theoretical insights with empirical data through an inductive methodology. Building on a problem-based approach (Tava, 2021), the paper begins by analysing key elements of solidarity derived from existing theoretical frameworks and conceptualisations. In parallel, it examines scales of political solidarity, including Neufeld et al.’s (2018) comprehensive scale. The paper then employs expert interviews with political philosophers to refine these elements and gain critical perspectives on solidarity’s conceptual and measurable dimensions. Findings are tested through cognitive interviews and survey methodologies, to ensure robustness and applicability. The paper culminates in the proposal of an empirical and theory-informed definition of solidarity, evaluating its potential and limitations. By bridging theoretical and empirical approaches, this study advances our understanding of solidarity’s role in fostering equality, reciprocity, and social change, providing new avenues for research and application across academic and policy domains.