THE SOCIAL ECONOMY IN PORTUGAL - A THEORETICAL BALANCE IN HISTORY

Abstract

Focused on the Portuguese reality and on the historical path of ideas and organizations identified with the concept of Social Economy, this article proposes
a theoretical assessment of the concept and discusses the heuristic advantages of including a historical perspective in the academic knowledge of the topic. It begins with a discussion of the historical genealogy of the idea of Social Economy in the European context and in Portugal, a country in which the organizations and practices identified with the historical heritage of Social Economy show a high degree of institutional recognition. After a critical synthesis of the main sources that can provide historiographical knowledge on the changes and continuities of the concept of Social Economy, we highlight the evidence of its recent institutionalisation process, closely linked to the transition to democracy in Portugal. The article closes with a proposal to periodise the historical milestones of the Portuguese Social Economy, a dynamic reality whose historical analysis and historiographical debate can contribute to the consolidation of its practices and common values.