Before addressing solidarity, I want to categorize social structures in general as:

• Family structures – structures where the bond is blood. This includes both extended families, clans, and Judeo-Christian religious structures.
• Civic structures – structures with voluntary membership or, in some sense, friendship or shared interest.
• State structures – structures that are held together by coercion, either actual or potential.

Any actual social structure will, of course, have some overlap. I’m primarily interested in Family and Civic structures; furthermore, I consider large businesses to be best considered as State structures. Cohesion within any type of social structure is not automatic and the development of solidarity and long term health tends to have different styles depending on the structural type.

Long term growth in solidarity depends on various factors; however, having time together and overcoming obstacles to doing that is essential.