Introduction: Solidarity economics - emancipatory social change or self-help?

Abstract

The continuing debate about Solidarity Economics discusses initiatives, in the most diverse social spheres, which want to offer alternatives to a capitalism governed by the financial markets. Self-management, alternative forms of exchange and barter, as well as various social experiments, are elements of an economy, which shall be built upon new values and . concepts. The focus on the supply side criticizes the 'original accumulation, as described by Marx, and aims at facilitating a democratic and egalitarian form of production. Many examples in southern countries as well as in Europe show that it is possible to realize alternative forms of production and economy on different scales. The only remaining question is whether they represent a mere reaction to precarious living and working conditions motivated by self-help, or if is possible to identify an emancipatory project of social change behind it.