Alain Supiot
Solidarity. An investigation into a legal principle
Solidarity is neither insurance nor assistance. It does not divide the world into those who would give without receiving, and those who would receive without having anything to give : all contribute according to their abilities, and receive according to their needs. European law has recently elevated solidarity to the status of a fundamental principle, on a par with freedom, equality and justice. At the same time, liberal ideology promotes its methodical dismantling, considering that a " great society " based on the Market order " has no use for 'solidarity' " (F. Hayek).
The question then arises as to whether solidarity is the provisional witness of a legal order doomed to disappear, or one of the ferments of its recomposition. This book aims to answer this question. It begins by tracing the history of the concept of " solidarity ", from its appearance in Roman law to its modern dissemination in biology, sociology and social law. It goes on to examine this notion of European origin through the prism of other civilizations. Exploring the most recent political and legislative developments, it finally highlights the extreme topicality of the principle of solidarity in all major regions of the world.
Supiot A. (dir.), Solidarity. Enquête sur un principe juridique, Paris, éditions Odile Jacob, April 2015, 368 p.
Publication : April1 2015
