Social Love, Solidarity, and the Civil Sphere: Strengthening Bonds to Heal Divided Societies

The contemporary global landscape presents unprecedented challenges for fostering social cohesion and solidarity. We explore the dynamics of social love within the framework of the civil sphere, focusing on emotions and emphasizing its role as a key mechanism for promoting inclusivity and collective well-being. How can social love bridge social divides? By analyzing the interplay between social love and solidarity, we show these concepts contributing to the strengthening of the civil sphere, where individuals and groups negotiate shared values, democratic principles, and mutual respect. Through case studies we highlight the potential for social love to create (emotional) bonds of solidarity that are essential for the sustainability of democratic societies in the face of polarization and social fragmentation. Our aim is to offer insights into how cultivating solidarity through social love can enhance the resilience of the contemporary civil sphere.