Edinburgh University Press Solidarity Across Divides: Promoting the Moral Point of View

Product Description What divides and what unites an ethnically diverse citizenry? From reconciling historical adversaries to addressing whether multicultural policies cause or cure ethnic conflict, George Vasilev explores how solidarity comes about in divided societies. Spanning from small and seemingly insignificant everyday acts to the heady and determined activism of NGOs and international organisations, this book identifies promising new routes for the expansion of mutual responsibility in a world where ethnic conflict is enduring and pervasive. This is the first systematic exploration of solidarity in divided societies. It identifies avenues for conflict transformation beyond and below the nation state. It examines the relationship between solidarity, multicultural policies and deliberative democracy. It advances a conception of solidarity where cultural difference and disagreement define human relations. Review An essential read for both deliberative and agonistic democrats, scholars of multiculturalism and anyone interested in the core questions of political philosophy and wanting to see how these questions come to play out in modern, complex and divided societies. -- Selen A. Ercan, University of Canberra, Political Studies Review Provocative, clearly written, and well-argued. It will be of great interest to researchers working on divided societies, solidarity and deliberative democracy. -- Nadim Khoury, University of Tromsø, Contemporary Political Theory From the Back Cover 'George Vasilev's book rescues the politically abused and theoretically neglected concept of solidarity and shows how solidarity may come about in the unlikely context of ethnically deeply divided societies. It engages political theorists interested in principles as well as those with pragmatic concerns about desirable political outcomes. Vasilev writes in a lucid and accessible style and deserves to be read widely.' Rainer Bauböck, European University Institute, Florence 'George Vasilev offers a refreshing perspective on the challenges of managing population diversity in divided societies. On the basis of philosophical reflection, he offers the notion of solidarity as a normatively appealing and policy-relevant basis for considering how plural societies can bridge the divides that impede their peaceful development.' Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham Addresses the conceptual and practical challenges surrounding the promotion of solidarity in divided societies Bringing together the normative insights of political theory and the empirical insights of comparative research, George Vasilev identifies the institutional arrangements that are conducive to ties of responsibility across ethnic lines. Against critics who claim group representative measures are incompatible with solidarity, Vasilev argues they serve as its very basis by providing the incentive structure for interethnic cooperation and openness. He extends the scope of analysis beyond the representative institutions of the nation-state to show how everyday deliberations and transnational influences can also positively shape ethnic relations. Vasilev's core claim is that what happens outside the state and across state borders also matters, as non-government organisations, international institutions and opinion leaders have become increasingly pivotal in shaping attitudes and political behaviour as the salience of international norms on ethnic diversity has grown. Case studies include various Balkan states, Northern Ireland, South Africa, the European Union and transnational advocacy networks George Vasilev is a Lecturer in Politics at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Cover image: Thomas Dworzak (c) Magnum Cover design: [EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com About the Author George Vasilev is Lecturer in Political Thory in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Legal Studies at La Trobe University, Melbourne.