Thinking beyond capitalism: social movements, revolution, and the solidarity economy

This chapter reflects on the experiences of undertaking solidarity work with the Zapatista social movement in the southern Mexico state of Chiapas, and what this means for building the solidarity economy. It focuses on six themes: education that challenges neoliberalism, developing resources with social movements, a commitment to participatory organising, building infrastructure for self-management, taking a strategic approach, and taking risks. The paper stresses that ‘being a Zapatista wherever you are’ is a rocky road which opens up openings and possibilities. It is a long journey with no clear endpoint that requires patience, openness, strength and compassion, but it is one that the author encourages the readers to embark upon joyfully with others.

Download Full-text

URPE, Radical Political Economics, Social Movements, and Revolution—From Identity Politics to Solidarity Economics: Looking Backward, Looking Forward on the Occasion of URPE’s Fiftieth Anniversary

Review of Radical Political Economics ◽

10.1177/0486613418791841 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (3) ◽

pp. 504-521 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Julie Matthaei

Keyword(s):

Social Movements ◽

Identity Politics ◽

Jel Classification ◽

Political Economics ◽

Fiftieth Anniversary ◽

Solidarity Economy

This article traces the shift from the identity politics of the early worker, feminist, and antiracist movements to the solidarity politics embodied in a movement of movements, to the emergence of solidarity economy initiatives and organizing. It examines the important contributions which Union for Radical Political Economics (URPE) and radical political economics (RPE) have made to these developments, and advocates that they become actively involved in analyzing and promoting the shift toward the solidarity economy. JEL Classification:

Download Full-text

A critical analysis of anarchist critiques of the Field of “Solidarity and Cooperative Economy” in Greece

Social Change Review ◽

10.2478/scr-2021-0003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Vaggelis Gkagkelis

Keyword(s):

Social Movements ◽

Political Theory ◽

Self Management ◽

The Political ◽

Solidarity Economy ◽

Political Position ◽

Ultimate Objective ◽

Structural Connection ◽

Objective Being ◽

Cooperative Economy

Abstract In this article, we explore the critiques developed by the anarchist social movement towards the “Solidarity and Cooperative Economy” in Greece. Initially, we outline the genealogy of the structural connection governing the “solidarity” economy with the development of contemporary social movements worldwide. Then, through the indexing of anarchist publications, we proceed to focus on two main anarchist critiques emphasizing on the economic and political problems of a “solidarity” economy which, in turn lead to the construction of the political position that refutes the interrelation of social movements with the field of alternative economy. We also outline the economic and political theory of classic anarchist thinkers: Kropotkin, Proudhon and Bakunin and we reappraise the critiques of the contemporary Greek anarchist movement based on these thinkers. Ultimately, the paper seeks to detect the points of convergence between the “Solidarity and Cooperative Economy” and contemporary anarchist movement. Deeming the practice of self-management as the principal interface between the anarchist thought and the organisation of networks and communities that constitute the “Solidarity and Cooperative Economy”, the present article calls for reflection and re-evaluation of these critiques with the ultimate objective being the delineation of new areas of political antagonism with capitalist structures and social change.

Download Full-text

Co-construction or prefiguration? The problem of the ‘translation’ of social and solidarity economy practices into policy

Towards Just and Sustainable Economies ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447327226.003.0004 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Ana Cecilia Dinerstein

Keyword(s):

Social Movements ◽

Latin American ◽

State Policy ◽

The State ◽

Recent Experience ◽

Policy Reforms ◽

Solidarity Economy

By engaging with the recent experience of Latin American Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) movements, this chapter discusses three ideas. First, that SSE practices by social movements can be seen as tools for the anticipation of alternative reality/ practices, relationships and horizons—in the present. Second, that the integration of SSE practices into state policy requires the institutionalisation of the SSE sector which renders invisible everything that does not fit within the ‘parameters of legibility’ of the state’s policy territory. As the state seeks to achieve order and stability, policy reforms are the crystallisation in time of ongoing conflicts. Third, an adequate ‘translation’ of the SSE into policy requires a type of co-construction of policy that engages with the emancipatory call of SSE movements, thus constituting a prefigurative translation. By escaping the contours of the state’s given reality, prefigurative translation allows SSE movements to venture into new territories. This ‘prefigurative translation’ is part of the process of ‘organising hope’ by SSE movements.

Download Full-text

La economía solidaria y comunitaria en Bolivia

Revista de la Academia ◽

10.25074/0196318.0.68 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

pp. 57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fernanda Wanderley

Keyword(s):

Social Movements ◽

Economic Model ◽

Political Commitment ◽

Font Size ◽

Cultural Changes ◽

Solidarity Economy ◽

Palabras Clave ◽

The Social ◽

Modelo Económico ◽

Movimientos Sociales

El objetivo del presente documento es analizar los avances y desafíos del proceso de cambio en Bolivia en relación al compromiso político con otro modelo económico (plural, post extractivista y post neoliberal) a través del fortalecimiento de la economía comunitaria, la economía estatal, la economía privada y la economía cooperativa. La primera parte sintetiza la trayectoria de los movimientos sociales que canalizaron la energía política para los cambios promovidos por el Movimiento al Socialismo. La segunda parte presenta los alcances de los cambios políticos, sociales y culturales desde 2006. La tercera parte analiza las políticas de promoción del nuevo modelo económico y los resultados en los últimos diez años. La cuarta parte dibuja el nuevo campo político marcado por disputas al interior de los movimientos sociales que apoyaron el proceso. El texto cierra con consideraciones finales.Palabras clave: Economía Plural, movimientos sociales, Movimiento al Socialismo, Economía Solidaria, Economía Comunitaria Solidarity and commnity economy in Bolivia The aim of this paper is to analyze the progress and challenges of the process of change in Bolivia in relation to the political commitment with another economic model (plural, post extractive and post neoliberal) through the strengthening of the communitarian economy, the State’s economy, the economy private, and cooperative economy. The first part summarizes the trajectory of social movements that channeled the energy policy changes promoted by the Movement to Socialism. The second part presents the scope of political, social and cultural changes since 2006. The third part analyzes the policies to promote the new economic model and results in the last ten years. The fourth part draws the new political field marked by disputes within the social movements that supported the process. The text closes with final considerations. Keywords: Plural Economy, social movements, Movement toward Socialism, Solidarity Economy, Community Economy

Download Full-text