Social economy, cooperatives and sustainable development

Lessons from French and international experiences

"Another world is possible," declare the anti-globalization protesters. But

which other world? And how will it be built? That is the question this little

book addresses. It was written for those who want to change their lives and

help change the world. As a response to this question, it proposes a hypothesis

for radical non-violent action based on the principles of voluntary

participation, equality and solidarity. It pleads in favor of an economy that

meets the needs and aspirations of people, an economy that is not an end

in itself but makes education its objective, an economy that enables the

human being to strengthen one's individual and collective identity and

become emancipated.

Is this economy utopian? If it is, it is a pratical utopia as shown by its rich

history in Europe, Africa, India and Latin America. The enterprises that

make up this sector - cooperatives, mutual societies and associations - are

groupings of people and not companies owned by stockholders. By adopting

democratic rules of functioning, limiting the power of capital, and establishing

cross-generational solidarity in the community, they define an

alternative relationship with work and are the best means for sustainable

local development.

Drawing on the history of the French cooperative movement, the work presents

both the remarkable practices of the social, alternative and solidarity

economy and analyses based on various disciplines in the social sciences.