Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Social and solidarity economy

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Our experience of “the economy” can be diverse but some experiences remind us that issues such as exploitation, unfairness, or inequality exist in abundance. Looking at the big, global picture, capitalism is rightly viewed as one of, if not the major cause of the most pressing issues on the planet. Poverty and a whole host of environmental problems as well as a lack of human rights all result in order to generate profit for a few rather than the wellbeing of all. “Innovative practices at the micro level can only be viable and structurally effective for social change if they interweave with one another to form always­broader collaborative networks and solidarity chains of production­finance­distribution­consumption­education­communication.” Marcos Arruda

We can also experience the economy at smaller scales ­ national, regional or local. And if we actually look at the etymological meaning of economy, from its ancient Greek origin “oikos” and “nomos”, we find it means “house” and “law or custom”. This leads us to an idea which roughly translates as "rules of the house”. We need an alternative vision of the economy based on people, whose wellbeing is the main purpose. At the same time, such an economy must be respectful of nature, being aware that the ecosystems and the services it provides for living creatures are limited.

We must bring ecology and economy together and begin the process of redefining wealth. References: http://ripess.eu/ http://www.socioeco.org/index_en.html http://reliess.org/?lang=en Submitted by Altekio

• Economy
  • Planetary Boundaries
  • Sharing & Collaboration