Problems of belonging in solidarity work

Abstract

Chapter 8 explores the dilemmas of belonging that arise in the solidarity orientation, in work aimed at increasing group and movement cohesion. The chapter considers first whether constituents and adherents can share work-in-common within the movement itself. It distinguishes between three approaches: disjoint “unlived politics,” conjoint “prefiguration,” and “self-sufficiency.” The chapter also considers whether constituents and adherents can derive the same emotional satisfaction from the life of the social movement. It argues that the emotions that motivate constituents differ from those that motivate adherents. The adherent’s disjoint emotions—felt for or in relation to others—are hard to share with the constituents, whose own emotions—hurt, anger, pride—shared conjointly with each other, are hard to share with the adherents. The theory is used to explain the last of the puzzling cases: the difficulties of middle-class Victorian socialists in achieving fellowship with the workers.