Solidarity Meanings and Cleavage Politics

The sixth chapter covers the relationship between the use of the concept of solidarity and the opening up of the cleavage structure. The empirical findings of the previous two chapters (Chaps. 4 and 5 ) are combined and further analysed with the use of the cleavage theory. This chapter includes an overview of the use of solidarity in conjunction with the three types of cleavages: the old (historical) ones, the New Left ones, and the New Right ones, as well as the development of this relation over time. The analysis is done on three levels: first in general, then for each party separately, and finally with regard to the specific subcategories and themes of the various cleavages (as theorized in Sect. 3.3 ). It also takes a thorough view on the six distinctive periods of solidarity use (as identified in Chap. 4 ) and presents the most common cleavage frames for solidarity in these periods, again in general and with specification between parties. Finally, it describes the different meanings solidarity is given in connection with each cleavage and cleavage subcategory, and the ways political parties differ in applying these different meanings, both in terms of frequency and content variety. It also includes an analysis of the role solidarity plays in relation to the conflict lines: whether it is (1) intended as a bonding mechanism that eases social conflicts, (2) a tool to reach out across a conflict line and mitigate the conflict via good-natured cooperation, or (3) an instrument to strengthen in-group cohesion against another group or against the whole of the society.