Arto Laitinen and Anne Birgitta Pessi have edited a unique collection of essays focusing on the theory and practice of solidarity from a perspective defined by philosophical theories of recognition and emotions on the one hand, and social-scientific work on welfare and helping cultures and practices on the other hand. Authored by leading experts in the field, the volume represents precisely the kind of philosophy enriched by in-depth empirical studies–or empirical social science enriched by philosophical analysis–that we need in the complex social world we live in.

Sami Pihlström, University of Helsinki

Solidarity is one of those concepts that numerous people in all types of occasions use, yet it lacks a clear definition and too little has been studied about it. Arto Laitinen and Anne Birgitta Pessi provide us with the first comprehensive and well thought out treatment of this concept. This volume is a foundational piece upon which the academic and public discourse of "solidarity" will be examined for years to come. There will be no serious discussion of solidarity without reference to this seminal work.

Ram A. Cnaan, University of Pennsylvania