Building a model for solidarity and cohesion using three theories

Drawing on Game Theory, Elementary Theory, and Status Characteristics Theory, this paper offers a theoretical model for a social group that is solidary and cohesive. The group has an economy, a social structure and a cultural structure. Applying Game Theory, economic conditions for solidarity are found. Within those conditions are groups that can be solidary if their social dilemma is resolved. Applying Elementary Theory shows how decentralized norm enforcement solves that social dilemma, but at the cost of second- and higher order free rider problems. Applying Status Characteristics Theory resolves higher order problems. Experiments and ethnographic examples support the analysis.