A PROTO-SOLIDARITY? FRIENDSHIP, JUSTICE AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN ARISTOTLE

While solidarity is a modern notion, often tied to collective action for justice in plural societies, Aristotle’s civic friendship sustains justice by binding the polis through reciprocity and concord. Engaging contemporary theories of solidarity, especially Habermas’ idea of solidarity as justice’s “reverse side” this paper highlights affinities between modern debates and Aristotelian thought. Civic philia emerges as a participatory practice where equality and shared deliberation enhance justice itself, alongside the strengthening of a sense of community. Thus, Aristotle’s ethics and politics reveal an embryonic solidarity, especially in contexts of inclusive political participation.