Technological Development and the Changing Boundaries of

Solidarity Groups

by Peter West-Oram

While the definitions of solidarity vary, most agree that solidarity groups are defined by the similarities between members which motivate them to support and cooperate with their fellows. Historically, relatively stable, deeply ingrained features of persons, such as religion or nationality, have been seen as the primary sources of such similarity which have enabled solidarity between compatriots or co-religionists. More recently however, it has been noted that more transient features of persons may also serve as the basis for solidarity. In this context, solidarity is typically seen as a pro-social force, at least for group members. Importantly however, while solidarity often generates valuable benefits for group members, the consequences of such solidarity may be actively harmful for non-group members. In this way, while solidarity has often been seen as a pro-social endeavour, it must be recognised that solidarity is itself morally neutral – it is what is done with it that counts.
In this paper I explore two related themes; first, I examine the way in which rapid technological, scientific, and medical development can generate both new grounds for solidarity, and the means with which new solidarity groups can form and act. Second, I consider the ways in which emerging technologies may change the boundaries of existing solidarity groups. In doing so, my particular concern is the way in which these technologies may enable and empower vicious or antisocial solidarity groups, the aims of which are in opposition to those associated with traditional views of solidarity.