Cooperative Social innovation, a commitment to build a new social and solidarity economy

Abstract

It requires a process of social innovation that transforms the fundamentals of capitalist society, to overcome it, with the limitations and encumbrances imposed the development of humanity and the welfare of our planet earth. A critical analysis of the different approaches and proposals for social innovation long boom in recent years is important and necessary, and draw on the experiences and knowledge provided in this regard in cooperative spaces, which have great potential in the development and promotion a systemic change exceeding capitalist society. The international cooperative movement, has universally recognized principles and values, which, although not directly opposed to the capitalist system, the very concept of cooperative commitment to a social relationship based on work and not capital production. Today in the XXI century, countries that choose the socialist path of socio-economic development, have increased participation to the cooperative movement as a change agent in the socialist transition. The overall objective of this work is to assess the potential possessed by the cooperative movement as a space for social innovation to contribute to the overcoming of capitalist hegemony.