What is "Social Cohesion?"

Social cohesion is a broad term that refers to the strength of the bonds or connections between people and communities. That includes the strength of relationships and sense of belonging and/or solidarity among members of a community. While the concept may seem invisible, it can be measured through indicators like trust, membership in groups, clubs, and organizations, and shared values. Social cohesion is considered a key social determinant of health, community resilience, and well-being. In fact, research has documented that societies with higher levels of social cohesion are healthier, more resilient to external shocks and crises, and experience higher economic growth.

Photo by author

Why is Social Cohesion one of the four pillars of the Brazilian Blueprint?

The closer we get to the November mid-terms, the more concern about threats to democracy centers on elections, courts, and political parties. Those things matter. But what if the deeper challenge isn't political at all?

What if one of the greatest threats to democracy is that we are becoming less connected to one another?

Many U.S. Americans today report feeling lonely, isolated, and disconnected. We spend more time online and less time in shared civic spaces. We know the opinions of people across the country, but little about the lives of our neighbors. We increasingly sort ourselves into communities that think like us, worship like us, vote like us, and consume the same information we do.

The result is not simply political polarization. The deeper challenge is a weakening sense of belonging. This is why social cohesion is one of the four areas of focus of the Brazilian Blueprint.

Photo by author from the 7th World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality

Beyond the definition above, social cohesion is often described as the “glue that holds society together.” You can also think of it as a social fabric, with all of our lives woven together.

Social cohesion is the trust that allows people to cooperate across differences. It is the knowledge that we share a common future, even when we disagree. Social cohesion is the feeling that we all belong, not because we are all the same, but because we recognize that we are all connected.

When social cohesion is strong, communities are more resilient. People are more likely to participate in civic life, trust institutions, engage with those who see the world differently, and work together to solve problems.

When social cohesion weakens, it’s like the foundation of our civic house is crumbling. Trust erodes. Suspicion grows. Disagreement becomes harder to navigate. And democracy begins to feel less like a shared project and more like a contest between competing groups.

At Stories Change Power, we know that healthy democracies require more than strong institutions. They require strong relationships. They require spaces where people choose to encounter different perspectives, build trust across lines of difference, and develop a shared sense of purpose. 

In healthy democracies,  we know and share stories that help people see one another as fellow citizens rather than opponents. Our stories remind us that we’re working for the good of the whole and for opportunity for all. 

This belief sits at the heart of the Brazilian Blueprint.

Our October delegation to Brazil is not simply about observing Brazil's presidential election. Elections matter a great deal, but they are only one part of a much larger story.

In Brazil, we’ll explore how democratic societies foster belonging, strengthen trust, and build the social cohesion necessary for democracy to thrive.

Throughout our journey, we will meet with civic leaders, journalists, educators, advocates, storytellers, and community builders who are strengthening democratic culture in one of the world's largest and most diverse democracies.

Together, we will explore questions that feel increasingly urgent:

• How do we strengthen trust?

• How do we create belonging without demanding sameness?

• How do we help people navigate disagreement without losing their sense of shared humanity?

• How do we build civic muscle in a world that often rewards division?

Brazil offers a powerful lens for these questions. Like the United States, it is a large, diverse democracy with a complex history and an ongoing struggle to create a society where all people feel seen, valued, and included.

The lessons we hope to learn are not uniquely Brazilian. They are deeply human.

Democracy is not just a system of government. It is a practice of living, working and thriving together.

Before people will support - and even defend - democracy, they must first feel connected to their communities, to one another, and to the shared future they are trying to build. That is the work of social cohesion.

And it may be one of the most important challenges, and opportunities, of our time.

Sheila Maloney

Director, Brazilian Blueprint

August 11, 2026

LEARN MORE:

• UNECE Report on Social Cohesion: Concept and Measurement (2023)

• "Lifting As We Climb”: In South Minneapolis, a Historic Restoration Heals from LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)

• Read how most people in the U.S. are "tired of this 'us-versus-them' mindset and are eager to find common ground in the Hidden Tribes report by More in Common