Version 3.2
The Cooperative Potential of various Alternative Economic Systems: A Systematic Comparison
The need to transform our capitalist economic system has become widely accepted. However, a further understanding of viable alternatives is required to allow such alternatives to be institutionalized on larger scales. This paper considers the importance of embracing the variety of alternatives, as different contexts call for different alternatives. Simultaneously, different alternatives can build alliances to enhance their transformative capacities. Thus, how do alternative economic systems concur and vary? Based on a number of criteria for selection, we compare several alternative economies: Degrowth, Buen Vivir, Doughnut Economy, Social and Solidarity Economy, Foundational Economy, Wellbeing Economy, and Economy for the Common Good. We create a framework dedicated to understanding and embracing the complexity of an economic system in terms of production, distribution, and allocation but also embeddedness with social and environmental dimensions. From this framework, different ‘lenses’ are used to compare the alternatives based on their internal coherence, their underlying values and worldviews, how they conceptualize the problems for which they seek to provide solutions, and their associated theories of change. Although this is still a work in progress, preliminary conclusions can be drawn. Theories of change differ, for example, with regard to the extent to which alternatives should be open to interpretation by different actors and in different places. Such variety also exists within alternatives. Profound differences can be found between original versus applied versions, as with Buen Vivir. Enabling institutionalisation without making problematic concessions might be one of the biggest obstacles that these alternatives face.
Info
Day:
2023-08-30
Start time:
12:00
Duration:
00:15
Room:
ZV-8-2
Type:
Paper Presentation
Theme:
Alternative economies
