The Politics of Humanity

establishing cosmopolitan responsibilities in practice.^119 David A. Hollinger links
identity and solidarity, arguing that “[to] share an identity with other people is to
feel in solidarity with them”.^120 He defines solidarity as “an experience of willed
affiliation”.^121 Humanitarianism is thus a kind of solidarity, related to the identity of
humanity. Hollinger explains:

Feminism is a solidarity, but womanhood is not. Judaism is a solidarity, but

having a Jewish ancestor – even a Jewish mother, to allude to one of the

classic criteria for being counted as a Jew – is not. The Chinese American

community is a solidarity for many Americans of Chinese ancestry, but not

every American of Chinese ancestry is equally invested in it and some may

be altogether indifferent to it. We will miss the character and scope of the

problem of solidarity if we conflate solidarity with the mere possession of a

set of traits or antecedents or confinements. On the other hand, the

problem of solidarity is real when there is at least some opportunity for

choice, when people can exercise some influence over just what ‘we’ they

help to constitute.^122

Beitz writes that: “[political] theory arises from a perception of the possibility of
choice in political affairs”.^123 It is solidarity that lies at the heart of humanitarian
action, and humanitarianism is often described as an instance of solidarity by those
engaged in it. For example, as James Orbinski writes:

Solidarity implies a willingness to confront the causes and conditions of

suffering that persist in destroying dignity and to demand a minimum

respect for human life. Solidarity also means recognizing the dignity and

autonomy of others, and asserting the right of others to make choices about

their destiny. Humanitarianism is about the struggle to create the space to

be fully human.^124

119
Journal of Social Philosophy, "Special Issue on Solidarity", Journal of Social Philosophy 38,
no. 1 (2007). 120
121 David A. Hollinger, "From Identity to Solidarity",^ Daedalus 135, no. 4 (2006): 23.
122 Ibid.: 24.
123 Ibid.: 25.
124 Beitz, Political Theory and International Relations , 4-5.
James Orbinski, An Imperfect Offering: Dispatches from the Medical Frontline (London:
Rider, 2009), 8.