In its essence, the social & solidarity economy is a space and a practice where economics is at the service of social ends, not the other way around. It is not hard to see why Greece today is experiencing an unprecedented growth in the size and diversity of its social economy. Here, as elsewhere, co-operatives and social-benefit enterprises have arisen as a form of social self-defense against economic recession and austerity. For the Right, the ...

::::::::

In its essence, the social & solidarity economy is a space and a practice where economics is at the service of social ends, not the other way around. It is not hard to see why Greece today is experiencing an unprecedented growth in the size and diversity of its social economy. Here, as elsewhere, co-operatives and social-benefit enterprises have arisen as a form of social self-defense against economic recession and austerity. For the Right, the social economy is often viewed as a refuge for the discarded of society and the victims of the capitalist economy. It is one reason why the Right always chooses charity as the proper response for the poor. Never solidarity or justice. Charity perpetuates dependence and inequality. Solidarity promotes empowerment and equality.

Authors Bio:

I am a semi-retired self employed business owner who designs and builds instruments and machines. Obtained a BS in Sociology (with minors in Physics and Math) in the 1960's and became interested in studying the structural violence built into our social, political and economic systems as an avocation.

I live off grid with my wife in an earth sheltered home I built in rural central Kansas.