Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This commentary explores the question of how we do or might define welfare in the context of our world today – a world beset with social, economic, and environmental catastrophe. Therein, I argue that such an endeavor necessitates not only a critical analysis of capitalism, and its related indices (e.g., GDP), but also alternatives thereto. Specifically, the solidarity economy is introduced as a fecund anti- or post-capitalist framework that fosters sustainable human and planetary welfare by centering equity, cooperation, solidarity, democracy, sustainability, and pluralism over power and profit maximization. I conclude by suggesting that reorienting our conceptualization and seeking innovative means to measure and assess human and planetary welfare in the context of the solidarity economy seems an urgent need – and paradigmatic shift – if we are to (re)build a more just and sustainable world.
Author: Rebecca A. Matthew
Institution: University of Georgia
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4402686773