samstöðu

Samstaða, with the inflected form samstöðu, is the Icelandic term for solidarity or unity in action—the state or act of standing together to support a common purpose. The word originates from sam- meaning together and staða meaning standing, conveying a sense of mutual commitment and shared responsibility.

In Icelandic discourse, samstaða is used across politics, labor, civil society, and international contexts. In the labor movement it denotes unity among workers and their unions to advocate for better working conditions and rights. In social and political life it refers to mutual aid and social cohesion, including support for marginalized groups. In international contexts, samstaða can express solidarity with people facing oppression, disasters, or other hardships.

Practices that express samstaða include mutual-aid networks, volunteering, collective bargaining, peaceful protest, and cross-community cooperation. It is often framed as a foundation for democratic decision-making and resilience in times of crisis, emphasizing shared interests and coordinated action rather than isolated individual effort.

Scholars and commentators note that while samstaða can strengthen social bonds and collective power, it can also be invoked selectively or used to exclude or pressure dissenting voices. Effective solidarity tends to require inclusive participation, transparent processes, and accountability to those it aims to support.