Social economy:engaging as a third system?

Pearce, John

doi:10.5040/9781350223530.ch-002

Cited by 15 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…An expectation has grown that good quality service can be provided at competitive prices and that social economy ventures are run as good businesses. Critics see this shift from a social to business focus, harnessed to an explicit rolling back of state welfare obligations, as one not only eroding the distinctiveness of the social economy, but also challenging its survival by forcing already hard‐pressed ventures facing tough welfare challenges to compete in the marketplace (Pearce, 2009; Russell and Scott, 2007; Spear et al , 2008).…”

Section: Market Society and The Social Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many actors within the third sector, however, see the social economy as a distinctive value system privileging meeting needs and building social power above all else. Some see it as a parallel system to states and markets, while others see it as an alternative system, an emblem of post‐capitalist solidarity and human sustainability (Amin et al , 2002; Solnit, 2003; Pearce, 2009; Gibson‐Graham, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extraordinarily ordinary: working in the social economy

Amin

2009

Social Enterprise Journal

109

110

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PurposePolicy actors around the world are increasingly looking to the social economy – markets explicitly oriented towards meeting social needs, usually through the third sector – to underpin livelihoods and deliver welfare services. Once considered an adjunct to markets and states, and possibly even a residual, the social economy is being seen as a legitimate player in the plural economy, able to thrive through the effort of dedicated individuals and organisations committed to ethical entrepreneurship. The assumption is that future capitalism can accommodate, perhaps even requires as recession deepens, the energies of the social economy in making new markets and meeting welfare needs. While a body of research has emerged examining the economic characteristics of social enterprises and how they succeed or not in managing the interface between market and ethical priorities, little is known about what it is like to be involved in the social economy or about what different social actors gain from the experience. However, most academic and policy thinking assumes that engagement in the social economy is both rewarding and empowering. This paper aims to fill this gap.Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on sobering case evidence from Bristol relating to the experience of social entrepreneurs, employees and volunteers.FindingsThe critical question raised by this study is whether the role of the social economy should be that of returning the socially disadvantaged back into the formal economy. The evidence in this study tends to suggest that this expectation could be misguided and overly ambitious.Originality/valueThe paper offers insight into the backgrounds, motivations, experiences and futures of people involved in the social economy.

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Section: Market Society and The Social Economymentioning

confidence: 99%