The Value of Solidarity in a Diversified Society
Interdependent
As interdependent beings we cannot thrive independent of others. We like to work with people who are like-minded, with whom we share a common interest, or who also believe in a cause we abide by. This is evident in how we have organised ourselves into various collective groups such as nations, regions, communities, organisations, and families.
作为相互依存的个体，我们不可能脱离他人成长进步。我们乐于与志同道合、趣味相投、或对我们重视的事业有相同信念的人并肩前行。从我们如何组建国家、地区、社区、组织以及家庭等各类集体中，就能清楚看到这一点。
Solidarity
Questions
01
The group
Does the group you belong to have a strong collective consciousness or shared beliefs?
你所在的群体有强烈的集体意识或共同信念吗？
02
Members
Is there interdependence amongst its members?
成员之间是否相互依靠？
03
You
Do you consider this group a significant part of your existence?
你是否将这个群体看作是自己重要的一部分？
If your answers are affirmative, you are experiencing a micro version of solidarity.
如果回答是肯定的，那么你正在体验微观层面的团结。
What is solidarity? Its simplest definition in the dictionary is: “… a unifying opinion, feeling, purpose or interest among a group of people.”
什么是团结？它在词典中最简单的定义是：“……一群人在观念、情感、目标或利益方面的一致。”
Diversity
In this increasingly diverse society we live in, solidarity takes on a complex and multifaceted character as it forms bonds of interdependence among unique individuals living in a fast-changing environment and working within a complex division of labour.
在我们所处的日渐多元化的社会中，团结呈现出复杂性和多面性，因为它为置身于快速变化环境中、耕耘于复杂劳动分工体系里的每一独特个体搭建起了相互联系的纽带。
One facet of solidarity fits well with the principles of communitarianism. In this setting, individuals put their own interests aside to serve the common good.
However, its adherence to social cohesiveness and exclusivist restrictions suppresses the expression of individual differences and preferences. Consequently, individuality and autonomy are sacrificed to maintain the unity of the group.
团结的其中一面与社群主义原则高度契合。在这种背景下，个人放弃自身利益以服务于共同利益。不过，这种模式极具社会凝聚力和排他性，这限制了个体差异与喜好的表达和践行。因此，维持群体的统一往往需要牺牲个性和自主性。
Solidarity is also viewed as a reaction to the extreme emphasis on individualism and the freedom of choice.
It goes against the liberal idea of unrestricted individuals who see society as a hindrance to their will for freedom to make choices and to act according to what is good for them regardless of how these affect others.
团结也被看作是对极端强调个人主义与选择自由的一种回应。它反对奉行“个人不受限制”的自由主义思想——持这种观点的人将社会视为其自由做出选择、根据自身利益行事的绊脚石，而罔顾自身行为对他人造成的影响。
But despite its many facets, social theorists have viewed solidarity as a key factor in bringing about order and progress in society.
尽管团结的内涵具有多面性，但在社会理论家眼中，团结是维护社会秩序与推动社会进步的关键因素。
They believe that for human society to survive as it becomes more diverse, more new bonds need to be formed based on the differences.
他们认为，随着人类社会多元化的加深，在求同存异的基础上建立更多新联结，人类社会才能存续。
In the light of this, they regard a genuine solidarity as more than just shallow relationships based on common interests.
有鉴于此，他们认为，真正的团结不单单是基于共同利益的浅层联系。
Role
Solidarity is not just a product of strategic calculations of how much it will benefit the self. It is not an exclusive class founded on the you-and-me-against-the-world principle.
团结不仅仅是为自身利益精打细算的产物。它不属于奉行“你我联手对抗世界”的排他性阶层。
Rather, it is inclusive and is not forced. Acting out of solidarity means supporting and standing up for each other—in recognition that one’s fate is tied up in the fate of the other.
恰恰相反，团结具有包容性和非强制性。践行团结意味着相互扶持，彼此捍卫——承认一个人的命运与他人的命运息息相关。
It is a bond characterised by cooperative practices and strengthened by the concern for the well-being of others or the common good. It fights for the protection of human dignity and listens to and acts on the cries of the most vulnerable.
这种联结以合作实践为特征，通过关心他人福祉或共同利益得以增强。它致力于捍卫人类尊严，倾听最弱势群体的呼声，并为之行动。
一、单词
1. independent /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/ adj. 不依赖…的2. collective /kəˈlektɪv/ adj. 集体的3. consciousness /ˈkɒnʃəsnəs/ n. 思想，意识4. affirmative /əˈfɜːmətɪv/ adj. 肯定的5. solidarity /ˌsɒlɪˈdærəti/ n. 团结6. divide /dɪˈvaɪd/ v. 划分7. complex /ˈkɒmpleks/ adj. 复杂的8. multifaceted /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ adj. 多层面的9. interdependence /ˌɪntədɪˈpendəns/ n. 相互依赖10. communitarianism /kəˌmjuːnɪˈteəriənɪzəm/ n. 社群主义11. cohesiveness /kəʊˈhiːsɪvnəs/ n. 凝聚力12. exclusivist /ɪkˈskluːsɪvɪst/ adj. 排他性的13. restrict /rɪˈstrɪkt/ v. 限制14. individuality /ˌɪndɪˌvɪdʒuˈæləti/ n. 个性15. autonomy /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ n. 自主16. unity /ˈjuːnəti/ n. 统一17. individualism /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəlɪzəm/ n. 个人主义18. hindrance /ˈhɪndrəns/ n. 妨碍，阻碍19. procedure /prəˈsiːdʒə(r)/ n. 程序20. produce /prəˈdjuːs/ v. 生产21. progress /ˈprəʊɡres/ n. 进步22. shallow /ˈʃæləʊ/ adj. 浅层的，肤浅的23. exclusive /ɪkˈskluːsɪv/ adj. 排他的24. recognition /ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃn/ n. 承认25. recognize /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/ v. 承认（= admit /əˈmɪt/）26. well-being /ˌwel ˈbiːɪŋ/ n. 福祉27. vulnerable /ˈvʌlnərəbl/ adj. 脆弱的28. dignity /ˈdɪɡnəti/ n. 尊严
二、短语
1. common interest /ˈkɒmən ˈɪntrəst/ 共同利益2. division of labour /dɪˈvɪʒn əv ˈleɪbə(r)/ 劳动分工3. common good /ˈkɒmən ɡʊd/ 共同利益4. in the light of /ɪn ðə laɪt əv/ 鉴于，根据5. fight for /faɪt fɔː(r)/ 致力于；为……奋斗
双语桥
来源|六级2025.12
翻译|华研英语
排版|刘志成
