Social cohesion in European societies : conceptualising and assessing togetherness

This book explains the concept of social cohesion in the context of a comparative sociological study. It proposes an innovative approach to the measurement of social cohesion, considering as constitutive elements social trust, institutional trust, and societies' degree of openness. Aruqaj observes these elements across time and on multiple social levels: individual (socio-economic inequalities and ethno-linguistic diversification); group (social categorisations and regional statistics of religious, gender, social status, and migration differences); and societal (reflecting the quality of life and human capabilities). This book provides an analysis of social cohesion not only between but also within European societies. It will appeal to students and scholars interested in solidarity and social integration working in sociology, social psychology, and development studies.

1. Introduction 2. Understanding Togetherness as a Social Fact 3. Assessing Social Cohesion as Social Relationships 4. Mapping Societal Cohesion in Europe 5. The Context of Togetherness 6. Latent Conflict and the Erosion of Cohesion 7. Togetherness as a Social Opportunity Structure 8. Conclusion