Social and solidarity economy and social and solidarity commons: Towards the (re)discovery of an ethic of the common good?

Abstract

This research poses the ethic of the common good and the institutions of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) as the foundation of commoning practices. Specifically, it illustrates how the latter may contribute to regenerating the commons, fostering open and shared access to key productive resources and essential goods and services. The analysis focuses on social and solidarity commons (SSC), defined as all those relational practices that contribute to the accumulation and regeneration of human and social (as well as other types of) critical capital. To achieve this research goal, this study collected new and old issues debated in the academic literature concerning the geographic nature of commons and their juridical and economic treatment within socioeconomic disciplines. Then, a historical overview of the commons highlights their dynamic and multifaceted nature and illustrates how they have often been co‐owned and co‐governed according to shared rules and norms. Within this general framework, SSC are introduced, and a role for the institutions of the SSE is proposed to foster an ethic of the common good as a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for expanding and enforcing people's participation in commoning practices.

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“…By advocating for a sociology that is actively engaged with societal issues, Gualda highlights the importance of these concepts in building a more cohesive and equitable society (Gualda, 2022). Salustri, A. (2021) delves into the social and solidarity economy (SSE) and its relationship with the concept of social and solidarity commons.…”

“…(2021) delves into the social and solidarity economy (SSE) and its relationship with the concept of social and solidarity commons. Through a reexamination of the common good ethic within the SSE framework, Salustri suggests that adopting such an ethic could lead to economic models that prioritize mutual benefits, cooperation, and solidarity (Salustri, 2021). Pearlman, S. (2023) offers a critical perspective on the limitations of charity and effective altruism, presenting mutual aid as a morally superior alternative.…”