CONCEPTUAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE NOTION OF SOLIDARITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF POLYCRISIS
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Published:
Jul 15, 2026
Abstract
The article explores the conceptual transformation of solidarity during modern crises that expose systemic weaknesses in state institutions. The research aims to conceptualize local solidarity initiatives as effective mechanisms of political power and drivers of social transformation in times of polycrisis. Moving beyond classical views of solidarity as mere state redistribution, the study justifies the concept of «solidarity from below» – the autonomous collective action of citizens. The core thesis argues that grassroots solidarity exceeds simple charity by generating a specific political «power-with» based on coordination and trust. Through the theories of «acts of citizenship» and commoning, the article demonstrates how everyday mutual assistance builds material solidarity infrastructures. The study concludes that autonomous solidarity practices form a de facto alternative governance system «from below», capable of influencing institutions, competing with official power, and redefining the boundaries of political participation.
How to Cite
Mordzynska, N. (2026). CONCEPTUAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE NOTION OF SOLIDARITY IN THE CONDITIONS OF POLYCRISIS. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (2), 388-396. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2026-2-45
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Keywords
solidarity from below, local initiatives, power-with, acts of citizenship, commoning, polycrisis.
References
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9. Fernandes-Jesus, M., Mao, G., Ntontis, E., Cocking, C., McTague, M., Schwarz, A., Semlyen, J., & Drury, J. (2021). More than a COVID-19 response: Sustaining mutual aid groups during and beyond the pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 716202. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.716202
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12. Habermas, J. (1990). Moral consciousness and communicative action (C. Lenhardt & S. W. Nicholsen, Trans.). MIT Press.
13. Hardt, M., & Negri, A. (2009). Commonwealth. Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press.
14. Hardt, M., & Negri, A. (2017). Assembly. Oxford : Oxford University Press.
15. Isin, E. F., & Nielsen, G. M. (Eds.). (2008). Acts of citizenship. Zed Books. ISBN 9781848132634
16. Laitinen, A. (2022). Solidarity. In Oxford research encyclopedia of politics. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.2013
17. Mao, G., Fernandes-Jesus, M., Ntontis, E., & Drury, J. (2021). What have we learned about COVID-19 volunteering in the UK? A rapid review of the literature. BMC Public Health, 21, Article 1470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11390-8
18. Mori, T. (2003). A reexamination of Hannah Arendt’s concept of power. Philosophy & Social Criticism.
19. Mould, O., Cole, J., Badger, A., & Brown, P. (2022). Solidarity, not charity: Learning the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic to reconceptualise the radicality of mutual aid. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 47(4), 866–879. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12553
20. Pensky, M. (2008). The ends of solidarity: Discourse theory in ethics and politics. State University of New York Press.
21. Pensky, M. (2019). Solidarity. In A. Allen & E. Mendieta (Eds.), The Cambridge Habermas lexicon (pp. 427–429). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316771303.111
22. Sangiovanni, A., & Viehoff, J. (2023). Solidarity in social and political philosophy. In E. N. Zalta & U. Nodelman (Eds.), The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Stanford University.
23. Sharp, G. (1973). The politics of nonviolent action. Porter Sargent.
24. Spade, D. (2020). Mutual aid: Building solidarity during this crisis and the next. Verso.
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26. Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the self: The making of the modern identity. Harvard University Press.
27. Touraine, A. (1981). The voice and the eye: An analysis of social movements. Cambridge University Press.
28. Zheng, R. (2023). Reconceptualizing solidarity as power from below. Philosophical Studies, 180, 893–917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-022-01845-y
2. Bowe, M., Gray, D., Stevenson, C., McNamara, N., Wakefield, J. R. H., Kellezi, B., Wilson, I., Cleveland, M., Mair, E., Halder, M., & Costa, S. (2020). A social cure in the community: A mixed-method exploration of the role of social identity in the experiences and well-being of community volunteers. European Journal of Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2706
3. Brunkhorst, H. (2005). Solidarity: From civic friendship to a global legal community. MIT Press.
4. Carstensen, N., Mudhar, M., & Munksgaard, F. S. (2021). «Let communities do their work»: The role of mutual aid and self-help groups in the Covid-19 pandemic response. Disasters, 45 (Suppl. 1), S146–S173. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12515
5. Canelas, P., & Baptista, I. (2021). Guerrilla urbanism, guerrilla governance: Governing neighbourhoods in “with-COVID” times. Town Planning Review, 92(2), 279–284.
6. Comte, A. (1842). Cours de philosophie positive [Course of positive philosophy]. Bachelier. (Original work published 1830–1842)
7. Durkheim, É. (1984). The division of labour in society (W. D. Halls, Trans.). Macmillan. (Original work published 1893)
8. European University Institute, & YouGov. (2018 – present). Solidarity in Europe project. European Governance and Politics Programme, European University Institute.
9. Fernandes-Jesus, M., Mao, G., Ntontis, E., Cocking, C., McTague, M., Schwarz, A., Semlyen, J., & Drury, J. (2021). More than a COVID-19 response: Sustaining mutual aid groups during and beyond the pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 716202. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.716202
10. Fiore, F., Feola, G., & Piló, F. (2025). Grassroots initiatives as political actors: Scaling, capture and constituency in food policy councils. Environmental Policy and Governance, 35(3), 559–579. https://doi.org/10.1002/eet.2156
11. Habermas, J. (1989). Justice and solidarity: On the discussion concerning «Stage 6». The Philosophical Forum, 21(1–2), 32–52.
12. Habermas, J. (1990). Moral consciousness and communicative action (C. Lenhardt & S. W. Nicholsen, Trans.). MIT Press.
13. Hardt, M., & Negri, A. (2009). Commonwealth. Cambridge, MA : Harvard University Press.
14. Hardt, M., & Negri, A. (2017). Assembly. Oxford : Oxford University Press.
15. Isin, E. F., & Nielsen, G. M. (Eds.). (2008). Acts of citizenship. Zed Books. ISBN 9781848132634
16. Laitinen, A. (2022). Solidarity. In Oxford research encyclopedia of politics. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.2013
17. Mao, G., Fernandes-Jesus, M., Ntontis, E., & Drury, J. (2021). What have we learned about COVID-19 volunteering in the UK? A rapid review of the literature. BMC Public Health, 21, Article 1470. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11390-8
18. Mori, T. (2003). A reexamination of Hannah Arendt’s concept of power. Philosophy & Social Criticism.
19. Mould, O., Cole, J., Badger, A., & Brown, P. (2022). Solidarity, not charity: Learning the lessons of the Covid-19 pandemic to reconceptualise the radicality of mutual aid. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 47(4), 866–879. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12553
20. Pensky, M. (2008). The ends of solidarity: Discourse theory in ethics and politics. State University of New York Press.
21. Pensky, M. (2019). Solidarity. In A. Allen & E. Mendieta (Eds.), The Cambridge Habermas lexicon (pp. 427–429). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316771303.111
22. Sangiovanni, A., & Viehoff, J. (2023). Solidarity in social and political philosophy. In E. N. Zalta & U. Nodelman (Eds.), The Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Stanford University.
23. Sharp, G. (1973). The politics of nonviolent action. Porter Sargent.
24. Spade, D. (2020). Mutual aid: Building solidarity during this crisis and the next. Verso.
25. Tava, F. (2023). Justice, emotions, and solidarity. Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.1080/13698230.2021.1893251
26. Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the self: The making of the modern identity. Harvard University Press.
27. Touraine, A. (1981). The voice and the eye: An analysis of social movements. Cambridge University Press.
28. Zheng, R. (2023). Reconceptualizing solidarity as power from below. Philosophical Studies, 180, 893–917. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-022-01845-y