The book addresses contemporary developments in European identity politics as part of a larger historical trajectory of a common European identity based on the idea of 'solidarity.' The authors explain the special sense in which Europeans perceive their obligations to their less fortunate compatriots, to the new East European members, and to the world at large. An understanding of this notion of 'solidarity' is critical to understanding the specific European commitment to social justice and equality. The specificity of this term helps to distinguish between what the Germans call "social state" from the Anglo-Saxon, and particularly American, political and social system focused on capitalism and economic liberalism. This collection is the result of the work of an extremely distinguished group of scholars and politicians, invited by the previous President of the European Union, Romano Prodi, to reflect on some of the most important subjects affecting the future of Europe.

This open access volume provides evidence-based knowledge on European solidarity and citizen responses in times of crisis. Does the crisis of European integration translate into a crisis of European solidarity, and if yes, what are the manifestations at the level of individual citizens? How strongly is solidarity rooted at the individual level, both in terms of attitudes and practices? And which driving factors and mechanisms contribute to the reproduction and/or corrosion of solidarity in times of crisis? Using findings from the EU Horizon 2020 funded research project “European paths to transnational solidarity at times of crisis: Conditions, forms, role-models and policy responses” (TransSOL), the books addresses these questions and provides cross-national comparisons of eight European countries – Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the UK. It will appeal to students, scholars and policymakers interested in the Eurocrisis, politics and sociology.

This volume approaches the current crisis of solidarity in the European Union from a multidisciplinary perspective. The contributions explore the concept of solidarity, its role in the European integration process, and analyze the risks entailed by a lack of solidarity. Experts from various academic fields, such as political science, law, sociology, and philosophy, shed new light on contemporary challenges such as the migrant and refugee crisis, the Eurozone crisis, nationalist and separatist movements, and Brexit. Finally, they also discuss different solutions for the most pressing problems in EU politics. The book has two main aims: Firstly, to show that solidarity is a key element in solving the EU’s contemporary problems; and secondly, to reveal how the crisis of solidarity has become a crucial test for the integration project, as the nature of the crisis goes beyond the well-known shortcomings in the EU’s structure and problem-solving capacities.

The European Union has evolved from a purely economic organisation to a multi-faceted entity with political, social and human rights dimensions. This has created an environment in which the concept of solidarity is gaining a more substantial role in shaping the EU legal order. This book provides both a retrospective assessment and an outlook on the future possibilities of solidarity’s practical and theoretical meaning and legal enforcement in the ever-changing Union.

Introduction /Christian Lahusen and Veronica Federico --Denmark /Deniz Neriman Duru, Thomas Spejlborg Sejersen and Hans-Jörg Trenz --France /Manilo Cinalli, Carlo de Nuzzo --Germany /Ulrike Zschache --Greece /Maria M. Mexi --Italy /Veronica Federico and Nicola Maggini --Poland /Janina Petelczyc --Switzerland /Eva Fernández G.G. and Délia Girod --The United Kingdom /Tom Montgomery and Simone Baglioni --Solidarity in the European Union in times of crisis : towards "European solidarity"? /Ester di Napoli and Deborah Russo --Solidarity in times of crisis : disability, immigration and unemployment in Denmark /Deniz Neriman Duru, Thomas Spejlborg Sejersen and Hans-Jörg Trenz --Disability, unemployment, immigraiton : does solidarity matter in times of crisis in France? /Manilo Cinalli, Carlo de Nuzzo --Disability, unemployment, immigration : the implicit role of solidarity in German legislation /Ulrike Zschache --Greece in times of multiple crises : solidarity under stress? /Maria M. Mexi --Disability, unemployment, immigration : does solidarity matter at times of crisis in Italy? /Veronica Federico and Nicola Maggini --Disability, unemployment, immigration : does solidarity matter in times of crisis? : the Polish case /Janina Petelczyc --Switzerland : vulnerable groups and multiple solidarities in a composite state /Eva Fernández G.G. and Tania Abbiate --Solidarity in austerity Britain : the cases of disability, unemployment and migration /Tony Montgomery and Simone Baglioni --Conclusion:Solidarity as a public virture? /Veronica Federico.

This book offers a unique transdisciplinary collection of essays written by highly renowned international scholars.