Ties of Solidarity and the Political Spectrum

Partisan Cleavages in Reported Solidarity Activity Across Europe

Bibliographic Data

ID7571053
AuthorsJohannes M Kie (0000-0002-3350-7399, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany, corresponding author), Hans-Jörg Trenz (University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark), Hans‐jörg Trenz (0000-0002-3479-7498, University of Copenhagen)
Year2019
Volume63
Issue4
Pages459-474
Publication date2019-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0002764218823839
OpenAlexW2912222194
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited29

The strength of solidarity ties among individuals is often discussed in relation to membership within a community of equals. This assumes strong links between reported solidarity actions, political attitudes, and national identity. We ask, first, whether differences in solidarity engagement can be explained by party affiliation: Do adherents of political parties driven by right-identitarian politics and adherents of parties driven by left-redistributive politics differ considerably in terms of reported solidarity action? Second, we investigate whether such differences can be explained by the nationality of the supported groups, and third, we explore whether there is a salience of reported solidarity action and party affiliation across European countries. We examine these questions by looking at cleavages in reported solidarity action in support of three different target groups: unemployed, disabled persons, and refugees. Our findings indicate first of all that partisan affiliation matters: cleavages in solidarity behavior follow traditional ideological patterns. Second, and contrary to the exclusive-communitarian rhetoric that is found in party programs and statements of right-wing populist parties, their adherents are among those supporting both nationals and foreigners least, while adherents of left and radical left parties engage in support toward nationals and non-nationals. Third, from a comparative European perspective, we observe similar patterns of a divide between an inclusive, solidary, and cosmopolitan left and a non-solidary right with low interests in community commitment

Collective action · Ideology · Immigration · Nationality · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Solidarity · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Populism, Right-Wing Movements · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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