Conjugating social and solidarity economies in Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

The dominant food system, based on an industrial model of production and a market model of distribution, has failed to feed the world’s growing population, despite producing more than enough food. Agroecologists also promote local food systems. Social and solidarity economy (SSE) is another vibrant field of social innovation. Initiatives in SSE redefine the terms of economic exchange. In general, solidarity economy emphasises reciprocity and mutuality over profit, while social economy tries to make business useful to social objectives. The ejido is a community-based form of land ownership, dating to the agrarian reforms of the Mexican Revolution, and especially the Cardenas presidency of the 1930s. In the ejido system, land is “viewed as having a ‘social function’ as opposed to merely being seen as an economic factor of production”. The non-material aspects of the base, such as the Tseltal language and culture, are just as important.