The Latin American and European perspectives of Solidarity Economy

Abstract

The Solidarity Economy is presented as an alternative economic model and has been a recurring theme both in Latin America and in Europe. However, there is not yet a single accepted definition with respect to this alternative model. Sometimes conceptually different terms are used, but interconnected with each other and, especially in relation to Social Economy. Thus, the debate on the subject of the terms that define new economic experiences, centred on human values and solidarity, which oppose the current economic model, is very relevant for the advancement of these new ways of doing economics. Thus, the objective of this work is to analyse the context of the Solidarity Economy from the Latin American and European aspects. For this, the main authors are analysed on the subject, in order to examine the concepts, definitions and legal recognition of the Solidarity Economy in both continents. Likewise, the main platforms of the Social and Solidarity Economy at national, regional and/or global level are studied. From the results, the evolution of the concept of the Solidarity Economy in Latin America and in Europe is observed. Beyond its different evolutions, in both continents, the Solidarity Economy presents itself as an alternative economy to the current capitalist system, which shows that it is possible to contribute solidarity to economic relations. However, a greater debate is still pending on the conceptual and organizational delimitation of the Solidarity Economy. Also, currently eight countries in Latin America and eleven in Europe legally recognize the Solidarity Economy through laws, decrees, secretaries and/or institutes which shows the progress made.