Building a Better Future: The Solidarity Economy as an Alternative to the Endless Fight for Economic Justice

The fight for economic justice can often feel like a never-ending battle, reminiscent of the story of Sisyphus who was condemned to roll a rock up a mountain only for it to roll back down. While there are moments of victory and progress, the repetitive nature of battling state and federal budget issues can be exhausting. However, there is an alternative to this constant struggle: the concept of the solidarity economy.

The solidarity economy focuses on building a just and sustainable economy that prioritizes people and the planet over profit and growth. This approach has been practiced throughout history in various forms, including Indigenous survival and sustainability methods, cooperatives, community land trusts, credit unions, peer lending, mutual aid, community-led economic development, barter systems, community-supported agriculture, and fair trade products.

In everyday life, people also come together informally to support each other in times of need. For example, in a close-knit community like a dead-end country road, neighbors band together to help with tasks like removing fallen trees, sharing resources such as firewood, checking on each other during bad weather, and sharing the bounty from gardens or hunting expeditions.

These examples illustrate how solidarity and mutual aid can create a sense of community