SSE concept : a tentative of a shared undertanding
There is a plurality of understandings of the social and solidarity economy. Some are more normative or institutional, others are specific to SSE movements or citizen approaches. The one we give here is evolving and can be enriched by subsequent contributions.
For example,
- from the Ripess Intercontinental Charter[1]
"The Social Solidarity Economy is an alternative to capitalism and other authoritarian, state- dominated economic systems. In SSE ordinary people play an active role in shaping all of the dimensions of human life: economic, social, cultural, political, and environmental. SSE exists in all sectors of the economy production, finance, distribution, exchange, consumption and governance. It also aims to transform the social and economic system that includes public, private and third sectors. SSE (..) strives to overcome inequalities, which includes all classes of society. SSE has the ability to take the best practices that exist in our present system (such as efficiency, use of technology and knowledge) and transform them to serve the welfare of the community based on different values and goals.
(…) SSE seeks systemic transformation that goes beyond superficial change in which the root oppressive structures and fundamental issues remain intact."
- from REAS, Red de redes Manifiesto por la Economía Solidaria. Pon la vida en el centro[2].
"The Solidarity Economy is a vision and a practice that, within the Social Economy, places life-sustaining processes at the centre of socio-economic activity, placing people, communities and the environment above capital and its accumulation. This model promotes and develops alternative initiatives in all spheres of the economic cycle (financing, production, marketing and consumption), based on values related, among others, to cooperation, reciprocity, self-management and solidarity. All of this from a transformative perspective that seeks to build more community-based, democratic, equitable, inclusive and sustainable economies. In short, feminist, ecological and solidarity-based economies."
- from ILO Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy[3].
"The SSE encompasses enterprises, organizations and other entities that are engaged in economic, social, and environmental activities to serve the collective and/or general interest, which are based on the principles of voluntary cooperation and mutual aid, democratic and/or participatory governance, autonomy and independence, and the primacy of people and social purpose over capital in the distribution and use of surpluses and/or profits as well as assets. SSE entities aspire to long-term viability and sustainability, and to the transition from the informal to the formal economy and operate in all sectors of the economy. They put into practice a set of values which are intrinsic to their functioning and consistent with care for people and planet, equality and fairness, interdependence, self-governance, transparency and accountability, and the attainment of decent work and livelihoods. According to national circumstances, the SSE includes cooperatives, associations, mutual societies, foundations, social enterprises, self-help groups and other entities operating in accordance with the values and principles of the SSE."