Pluralism and Solidarism

This chapter outlines the concepts of pluralism and solidarism and explains their place in English School theory. The first section explores their initial articulation by Hedley Bull and his worry that asserting solidarist universalism in a world defined primarily by pluralist coexistence might weaken restraints on the use of force. The second focuses on the way in which pluralism and solidarism mediate justifications of humanitarian intervention. The third section examines the use of pluralism and solidarism to theorize notions of world society and global order. The concepts employed in this context describe different types of international society, suggest progressive social learning as a guide to good international citizenship, and propose a growing global moral consciousness cultivated by increasing human inter-connectedness.