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Chapter 5

Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE)

5.1 Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) – The concept

The Social and Solidarity Economy (SEE) has to do with a diversity of practical experiences that aim to
give an answer to problems and inequality that our current system generates. Thank you to the SEE, new
initiatives have appeared to give a different approach to the current economic system. SEE puts people and
their well being at the centre of the economy (ILO International Labour Organization, 2020).

Source: Social and Solidarity Economy (Bachousi, 2018)

Historical development

The term appeared by the middle of last century as a way of resolving inequality by applying universal
values such as equity, justice, economic fraternity, social solidarity, compromise with the environment and
direct democracy. It is true that practices of social economy have existed since the beginning of history, for
example, with communities of support and barter economy, the roots of the concept of SEE as we know
it today has its origins in the great ideological currents of the 19th century, related to the Christian and
socialist tradition. These types of organisations appeared with the objective of answering to the
necessities of a part of the population. These groups in risk of exclusions where not helped neither by the
State of the market. That is how the SEE appeared, however, it had strong links to socio-cultural features
and the belonging to a group with a collective identity.

After WWI in 1945, however, the priority was the reconstruction of the economy and some factors had
priority such as economic competence and efficiency. In the 70s, the concept of SEE starts to gain true
popularity and appears as an economy model with a global vision to transform society, fight against
poverty, inequality, and the absence of respect for the environment. Nowadays, this concept joins different
approaches such as the protection of the environment, a feminist economy, and the economy to protect
communities. Sometimes, the concept is confused with an exclusive economy, able to help just small
groups of disadvantaged people, however, the truth is that the SEE has the possibility to benefit everyone.