Current conceptualizations of the social economy in the Canadian context

Ian MacPherson, Co-director, Canadian Social Economy Hub May 2010 / Mai 2010 . current conceptualizationS of the Social econoMy in the canadian context Introduction The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of the Social Economy through the writings of researchers and practitioners/acteurs that are referenced in the discussions and research activities of the Canadian Social Economy Rese [...] One of the central objectives of this paper is, thus, to familiarize the reader and those within the Social Economy movement in Canada with the diversity of perspectives and approaches that are presented in the literature so that there can be clearer understandings of the concepts, debates and viewpoints that underpin the sector in Canada. [...] These authors have traced the concept of the Social Economy back to the “Egypt of the Pharaohs” through to the solidarism of Charles Gide and the present day Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. [...] MacPherson argues that Putnam ignored the role of the co-operative sector in his consideration of the decline of social capital, but further suggests that the discussion of economic value to social capital has helped in the conceptualizing the Social Economy. [...] Due to the qualitative nature of the research we must take into account the subjectivity inherent in the process of interpreting the size and scope of the Social Economy.