In a world which often is labeled a "global village, " who exactly is our neighbor? Who is My Neighbor? explores the emergence of what is called "social affinity, " a concept bridging classical notions of social cohesion with contemporary social psychology. The ideas underlying social affinity focus on the sentiment of moral obligation which holds society together.

In order to understand how a sense of social affinity emerges within individuals, the author breaks down the concept into three dimensions -- social consciousness, sentiment, and action -- and their constitutive elements. These dimensions are then brought together in a single model demonstrating how social affinity and the meaning our values have for us are shaped by our social location and the self-interest which permeates our culture.

James A. Vela-McConnell is Associate Professor of Sociology at Augsburg College. He is one of the authors of What's Left? Radical Politics in the Postcommunist Era.