Is charity the same as solidarity?

Due to the increase in the social inequality gap that exists in modern societies, there is a part of the population that is forced to live with few resources. So, day after day we are bombarded with images of misfortunes that affect our peers. In this context the words charity and solidarity appear in the background.

So we can ask ourselves To what extent are we responsible for the lives and destiny of others? We live in a world in which, increasingly, solidarity prevails and in it, little by little, we are becoming socially aware of what is happening around us. Therefore, today we want to talk about charity, solidarity and social justice.

Background

The system of social action as we know it today has passed throughout history from one model to another. The evolution of the models of this system are (Picornell, MA 2013):

Charity.Charity.Social Assistance.Social Security.Social Services.

Initially, when there was no model from which the State was responsible for the protection of citizens, Assistance to people who were in precarious situations was carried out through charity. Going through the different models mentioned, until we reach what we have today: social services, a fundamental pillar of the welfare state.

This primary assistance consisted of giving alms, deposits or grain deposits, care for orphans, hospital care… All of this without control by governments. Then it was understood that poverty could be legitimate (illness, orphanhood…) or illegitimate (due to vice or laziness).

Charity, solidarity and social justice

To specify a little more and differentiate more accurately, we are going to explain each of the terms:

The concept charityas Giraldo and Ruiz-Silva (2015) say is linked to the notion of welfare. It does not imply the search for justice or equality nor does it promote the development of the capacity for empowerment of those who benefit. Rather, one could say that the satisfaction is felt by the person who has provided the help. We must not forget, however, that the duty to protect citizens lies with governments.

On the other hand, solidarity, although it is usually associated with philanthropy, charity, altruism and fraternity among human beings (Vargas-Machuca, 2005, cited in Giraldo and Ruiz-Silva, 2015), carries some difference if we have take into account the definition given above.

Solidarity could be understood as a “human response to the contradictions of the present time.” (Bárcena, 2006). The action of solidarity ranges from momentary help that alleviates a specific situation to a daily, constant effort towards, as the authors cited above say, the reduction of human suffering and the realization of justice.

Finally The term social justice is born from the feeling of inequality that exists in the world. As well as the need to build a better society. In fact, Aristotle (cited in Torrecilla y Castilla, 2011) already spoke about distributive justice in one of his works: “give each one what belongs to him; that is, in proportion to his contribution to society, his needs and his personal merits.”

Today, the concept “social justice” is something complex and dynamic. For the UN Social justice is a fundamental principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence, within and between countries. The pursuit of universal social justice represents the core of its mission in promoting development and human dignity.

The world is constantly changing. Thus, It is necessary to adopt positions that promote equality and justice. Not so much momentarily alleviate a situation, but rather put within people’s reach the necessary instruments to improve their lives.

In short, as Griffiths, 2003, says, Social justice must be a dynamic project, never complete, finished or achieved. Thus, a motto is advanced: fight to build and achieve a better place.

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