Solidarity Economics

Solidary Economy as an alternative and criticism of capitalism

By Marcelo Inácio de Sousa

We are living a crucial moment of humanity, where we build a system of values and beliefs, based on oppression, war and tyranny, both between humans and between these and all other beings that inhabit the planet earth. We have called this system of capitalism.

Understanding a little better, let's force the words: capitalism is a masculine noun. The word capital comes from the Latin capitale, derived from capitalis (with the meaning of "principal, first, chief"), and comes from the proto-Indo-European kaput meaning "head." It names a socioeconomic system based on the legitimation of the private appropriation of everything that is considered goods and the unrestricted freedom of commerce and industry, its main objective is the accumulation of wealth.

In this system, centrality is in the individual possession of the "head" of the chief, in a clearly patriarchal, hierarchical, oppressive vision. This visualizes all its surroundings, as possible goods, things, that can be appropriate for the promotion of profit maximization, in that sense, it is part of the system to relate to the planet (humans, animals, rivers, soil, mountains, plants Or the planet itself) as things, goods that must be rationally traded in the market, generating more profit and accumulation.

This system values ​​and promotes competition, dispute, struggle, oppressive hierarchies, command, authoritarianism, blind obedience to the boss, power, appropriation of resources, destruction, death and fear and therefore war , Because these are a structuring part of the system itself and from where it feeds.

Capitalism generates human beings, mediocre, fearful, cowardly and childlike, limits critical and libertarian thinking, imposes oppression on women, children, the arts, and literature.

In contrast, we understand that Economia is a feminine noun, the element "echo" comes from the Greek oikos and means "house, home, domicile, environment". In its origin, therefore, Economics is the art of managing the home + Solidary, which in turn is an adjective, also feminine, comes from the French SOLIDAIRE, "interdependent, complete, whole" and from Latin SOLIDUS, "firm, Complete "that adds, qualifies the noun Economics.

Solidarity Economy is constituted by principles and practices based on interdependent, solid and haughty relationships of collaboration, exchanges and sharing, based on a matrilineal principle

Solidary Economy, then, is constituted by principles and practices based on interdependent, solid and haughty relationships of collaboration, exchange and sharing, based on a matrilineal principle, where relations between human beings must be fundamentally horizontal, based on the recognition of the other person as Part of me and the whole. These practices in turn are inspired by cultural values ​​that place care with the common home, therefore with life in all its dimensions, expressions and forms and the promotion of happiness of the human person and its collectivities as subjects and purpose of the activity Economic, cultural and political.

The Solidarity Economy seeks different and antagonistic bases to capitalism, is not based on accumulation, but on the care of the planet and all the beings that inhabit it, in the perpetuation of the conditions to generate life and this requires the conscientiousness, creativity and responsibility of the Individuals and solidarity among citizens, who recognize themselves as part and not traders of nature and who with and between them are in total connection and interdependence.

The Solidarity Economy is also a propeller of an endogenous (de) involvement, coming from the needs of human communities, in frank and direct dialogue, where the definition of what to produce comes from the real needs of the planet and all Creatures, where production, distribution, finance and consumption are responsible and contextualized actions.

But it is important to be alert: the militant and purposeful force of the Solidarity Economy can not be enough in itself, it can not be only in the world of ideas, in fundamentalisms, sad and rancorous, that are poisoned by the small, Sick people in closed groups of militants (¹), where weak and weak people meet only to create intrigue, to point out defects of each other, to complain and to mourn, struggling ardently to know who owns the reason, or who owns them Of the Solidarity Economy, in anthropophagic action consume themselves, push away who could reach, add and enrich the debate. I say: this is not solidarity economy, it does not promote good living and actually serves the Capitalist project.

It takes courage to go beyond, to break the common place, which is already given, to become practice and praxis. To be a space that generates happiness, beauty, lightness, hope, place of ethics, aesthetics, poetics and also pathetic.

The Solidarity Economy does not form with dependent, fragile and weak people. But with women and men, young and old, children and adolescents, of all races and creeds, aware of their role in the world

to their collective, have the courage to look forward and respect and try to understand their differences and conflicts by making these their strength, recreate reinvent the ways and meanings of work, products and services generated, community life, build autonomous communities and proud , Determined and propositive for all fields of human action, based on the principles of care and full life.

Solidarity Economy, at this historical moment, I consider as a front of resistance, a possible counterpoint, against the impositions of the capitalist system, which tries ever more fiercely to turn everything into merchandise, even the commodification of relations, the threat of destruction of the planet in More than 23 different simultaneous forms. The Solidarity Economy must be hand in hand and in tune with other social movements, pointing out the urgent need for another non-capitalist paradigm, which promotes a healthy and caring society.

Therefore, the very existence and necessity of a care economy comes from the fact that the capitalist economy does not meet, does not fulfill the needs of life, the subjects and the planet, on the contrary puts this at risk. The Solidary Economy necessarily goes beyond criticism, because it brings in its core, at its core, a proposal for reflection, action, reflection.

Many initiatives that make us savor the society of our dreams are already in practice, based on a new logic, far from the capitalist model, are community organizations in ecovillages, urban occupations, agroecological production, biodynamics, permaculture, organic fairs, Social banks, networks and productive chains. These spaces seek the exercise of a direct and non-representative democracy, far beyond a productive category. This perspective is generating new conceptions and forms of school, spirituality, relationship with time, work and even redefining the real human needs and pointing to new ways of doing politics focused on ethical and responsible values ​​and a Life.

We are born to be cared for and cared for, and as evolving beings we can learn more and more the dimension of the word AMAR. Not only as a melancholy feeling, but as a regular verb, transitive direct. While verb requires action. Not just contemplation, or false passivity.

In this way Solidary Economy becomes not only a criticism, but truly an antithesis of capitalism.

"Economy is every day and our life is not merchandise"

Fonte: http://cirandas.net/fbes/economia-solidaria-no-brasil/economia-solidaria-como-alternativa-e-critica-ao-capitalismo