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The Social Economy in Bolivia: Indigeneity, Solidarity, and Alternatives to Capitalism

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations volume 29, pages 1233–1243 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

The social economy (SE) is alternatively conceptualized as a third sector (between the private and public sector); or by a typology of the organizations involved (such as cooperatives, non-profit organizations and social enterprises); or by the principles and values driving such activities (such as cooperation, mutual benefit, and democracy). One important consideration is often overlooked, namely that the SE emerges in different forms and with varied emphases depending on location. The SE is ‘place-based’—rooted in specific geographic, historical, cultural, and socioeconomic settings. This article explores the conceptualization of the SE in the Bolivian context from the perspective of government and civil society actors. The research took place after the country recognized the importance of the social, cooperative and community economy in their new constitution and found that the understanding of the SE in Bolivia relates strongly to the country’s indigenous and colonial heritage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sustainable Development, TASC 1, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V6A 1S6, Canada

    Gretchen Ferguson

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  1. Gretchen Ferguson
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Correspondence to Gretchen Ferguson.

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Ferguson, G. The Social Economy in Bolivia: Indigeneity, Solidarity, and Alternatives to Capitalism. Voluntas 29, 1233–1243 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-018-0013-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-018-0013-z

Keywords

  • Social economy
  • Bolivia
  • Solidarity economy
  • Community economy
  • Social enterprise