Solidarity in EU Integration Theory

Solidarity is a fundamental value that has a long history, not only throughout the European integration process, but also more broadly, in European political thinking. As such it has been more and more institutionalized over time. Yet, the current crises have shown that these codifications in the treaties and political declarations of the EU have not automatically led to more solidarity in the practices of the EU, its institutions and Member States. This paper will aim to take a broader analytical perspective on solidarity in the EU by reconsidering the role solidarity plays in EU integration theories. The aim of this study is to understand a dimension of solidarity that seems to exist apart from political and societal practices of solidarity on the national, supranational and transnational levels, but in the scientific reflection of the role of solidarity in the integration process. It will be shown how and to which extent solidarity was taken up by diverse approaches of political science and how this can help us to understand the role solidarity played and continues to play in the EU.