SOLIDARITY AND COMMON GOOD — SOME REMARKS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DISCUSSION ON HOW TO RESOLVE DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES — THE CASE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The article is concentrated on the problem of solidarity and common good in the context of disputes between states in the European Union. It investigates three main issues:
— firstly, common good as an expression of solidarity;
— secondly, the role of common good at the international level;
— thirdly, solidarity as a principle of loyal cooperation between the European Union and the Member States.
The last part of the paper is devoted to the problem of solidarity in the European Union. In the author’s opinion:
1 The terms “solidarity” and “common good” are considered equivalent. Solidarity can be understood as an ordered harmony in the pursuit of the common good.
2 The very notion of “common good,” regarded by some contemporary thinkers as a bit archaic, obsolete, in combination with the concept of “solidarity” is useful at the international level, especially in the EU. Based on these concepts, one can attempt to build a common platform for interaction between states and setting the basis for consensus necessary to strengthen cooperation. Thus, disputes between states can be if not eliminated, then at least to a large extent minimized.