SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY IN URUGUAY: QUANTITATIVE MAPPING1

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the quantitative mapping data on the different experiences that make up the field of Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in contemporary Uruguay. The difference between "the economy" and "the economic" is discussed and conceptually defined, seeking a theoretical view that enables the  understanding of the economic solidarity experiences studied. Methodologically, the systematization, updating and generation of new information derived from surveys is used, which is complemented with semi-structured interviews carried out with representation and articulation organizations of second and third degree. The empirical results show the relevance of the SSE sector, as well as the heterogeneity of the experiences and organizational networks that encompass it. On the one hand, we find a Social Economy sub sector which is composed of the cooperative movement. Said movement has been consolidating for more than a century, with over one million associates-members, who make up nearly two thousand cooperatives. These are articulated in a dozen federations according to their modality and, together with other organizations constitute a Confederation, and co-manage public policy from the National Institute of Cooperativism. On the other hand, we find a sub sector of the Solidarity Economy that is much more heterogeneous in its forms of organization. It is estimated that there are at least thirteen thousand associates-members and at least one thousand collectives articulated in about twenty networks, coordinators, commissions, fairs, barter and exchange spaces. Beyond the empirically demonstrated magnitude of the phenomenon, the mapped experiences allow us to rethink our socioeconomic setting beyond the market domain.