STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY

ECONOMY IN INDIA

Durga Devi P
20UHE005
III BA History (EM)
8870904613
dd8806916@gmail.com

Abstract

The social and solidarity economy (SSE) is growing in popularity around the world. It has
become more attractive and visible as countries have been caught up in economic crises
which have had devastating effects. The plethora of innovative legislation, public policies and
social practices underscores the trend for “organising the economy differently”. In its most
advanced form, it is seen as bringing about change and shaking up perspectives by taking the
economy out of its supposed independence, by “re-embedding it” in the complete range of
relationships – both social and political – that form a society. The economy is then no longer
at the service of the individual and “selfish” commercial interest, but of people as a whole,
with a view to achieving social justice, equality and democracy. This paper attempts to bring
out the ways to Strengthen Social and Solidarity Economy in India.

Introduction

“We strongly believe not only that another world is possible, but also that it is increasingly
necessary”

Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is an alternative way of understanding the economy. It
puts people and environment in the centre. SSE is transformative because it values people and
their needs, abilities and work above capital accumulation. It demands a more redistributive
and equitable socio-economic model. SSE is an innovative economy that brings co-
production of knowledge, goods, and social services on the basis of cooperation of different
actors and sectors. It promotes social inclusion and social cohesion in a sustainable and
continuous way.
What is SSE?

Solidarity economy or Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) refers to a wide range of
economic activities that aim to prioritize social profitability instead of purely financial profits.
A key feature that distinguishes solidarity economy entities from private and public
enterprises is the participatory and democratic nature of governance in decision-making
processes as one of the main principles of the SSE sector. Active participation of all people
involved in decisionmaking procedures contributes to their empowerment as active political
subjects. However, different SSE organizational structures reflect variations in democratic
governance and inclusive participation.

Why SSE?

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. Growing
inequalities, persistent unemployment and environmental imperatives have come to the fore
as priority policy issues, even more so in light of COVID-19. In this context, the Social and
Solidarity Economy (SSE) can contribute to building more inclusive and sustainable
economies and societies.

Overview

Some refer to solidarity economy as a method for naming and conceptualizing

transformative monetary qualities, practices, and foundations that exist throughout the world.
These incorporate, yet are not constrained to, egalitarian and participatory monetary conduct
by people, labourers, and makers, for example, by a person who is a moral shopper,
specialist, and additionally financial specialist, or by a specialist co-op, reasonable exchange
business, or dynamic association. It is an economic formation which seeks to improve the
quality of life of a region or community on the basis of solidarity, often through local
business and not-forprofit endeavours. It mainly consists of activities organized to address
and transform exploitation under capitalist economics and the large-corporation,
largeshareholder-dominated economy and can include diverse activities. For some, it refers to
a set of strategies and a struggle aimed at the abolition of capitalism and the social relations
that it supports and encourages; for others, it names strategies for "humanizing" the capitalist
economy—seeking to supplement capitalist globalization with community-based "social
safety nets”.

History

"Solidarity economy" was used as an economic organizing concept as early as 1937, when
Felipe advocated for the development of economic solidarity among worker collectives in
urban and rural areas during the Spanish Civil War. It emerged more widely as a term in
Latin America over the past twenty years in response to community and worker demands to
expand forms of social inclusion and unity. Different conceptions of Solidarity Economy
originated among movements seeking to create grassroots economies during the military
dictatorships that dominated Latin America during the 1970s and 1980s and subsequently,
flourished as of the emergence of financial neoliberal democracies in the 1990s up to the
present.

Solidarity based approach

One SSE approach focuses primarily on making the current economic system
sustainable. Its objective is the creation of enterprises that serve its members or the
community, instead of simply striving for financial profit by prioritising people and work
over capital in the distribution of revenue and surplus. United Nations Research Institute for
Social Development has concluded that "social and solidarity economy, a science-in-the-
making, cannot go very far in framing discourses and in engaging with the bigger picture, as
an alternative to the crisesridden "dominant economic paradigm"" and calls for further
developing SSE into a new scientific theory with its own foundations which would offer an
alternative to the homo economicus.

Core Values
The RIPESS Charter of the Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Social Solidarity
Economy sets out eleven core values to promote the ethical and value-based economic model:

1. Humanism – putting human beings, their dignity, culture and full development at the
centre
2. Democracy – promoting democratic values
3. Solidarity – mobilizing resources and establishing relations with other social
collectives
 4. Inclusiveness – establishing dialogue based on the respect for ideological differences
5. Subsidiarity – promoting grassroots development to overcome common problems
6. Diversity – encouraging representation of players of all sectors of society
7. Creativity – promoting innovation that contribute to social change
8. Sustainable Development – respecting the balance of the ecosystem by protecting the
environment and biodiversity
9. Equality, equity and justice for all - fighting against all forms of discrimination and
oppression
10.Respecting the integration of countries and people - opposing economic, political,
and cultural domination of the North over the South
11.A plural and solidarity-based economy - providing an alternative to the neoliberal
economic model by taking actions towards a plural and solidarity-based economy.

Principles
1. Principle of equity. Introduces an ethical or justice principle in equality. It is a value
that recognizes all people as subjects of equal dignity and protects their right not to be
subjected to relationships based on domination regardless of their social condition,
gender, age, ethnicity, origin, ability, etc. Society must satisfy, in an equitable
manner, the respective interests of all people.
2. Principle of work. Work is a key element in the quality of life of people, community
and economic relations between citizens and states. Importance of recovering the
human, social, political, economic and cultural dimension of work that allows the
development of people's capacities. Work is much more than a job or an occupation.
3. Principle of environmental sustainability. All productive and economic activity is
related to nature. The good relationship with nature is a source of economic wealth
and health. Therefore, environmental sustainability must be integrated into all
activities, evaluating the environmental impact (ecological footprint).
4. Principle of cooperation. Cooperation instead of competition. Model of society
based on harmonious local development and fair commercial relationships. Solidarity
Economy is based on participatory and democratic ethics, which wants to promote
learning and cooperative work between people and organizations.
5. Principle of non-profit-making. The economic model to be pursued is aimed at the
integral, collective and individual development of people, and as a means, the
 efficient management of economically viable, sustainable and profitable projects,
whose benefits are reinvested and redistributed. This "non-profit-making" is closely
linked to the way of measuring results, which take into account not only the economic
aspects, but also the human, social, environmental, cultural and participatory aspects;
and the final result is the comprehensive benefit.
6. Principle of territorial responsibility. Participation in the sustainable local and
community development of the territory. Organizations fully integrated into the
territory and social environment in which they carry out their activities, which
requires involvement in networks and cooperation with other organizations of the
nearby social and economic fabric, within the same geographical area. This
collaboration is a way for concrete positive and solidary experiences to transform the
structures that generate inequality, domination and exclusion.

Conclusion

When these core values, principles and challenges are addressed for the upliftment of
economy, growth occurs which prevails social justice, equality and democracy to India
which strengthens the social and solidarity economy of India.

“SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE LIGHT THAT MAKES INDIA’S FUTURE

BRIGHT”