Book Review: Karl Polanyi, For a New West: Essays, 1919–1958

Abstract

International Sociology Reviews 31(2) look at the post-apartheid context in which the solidarity economy may develop as a part of the process of democratization and the struggle with a neoliberal political economy. Satgar points that there are already activists who focus on cooperative development, food sovereignty, cooperative banking, and anti-capitalist actions. Mazibuko K Jara ('The solidarity economy response to the agrarian crisis in South Africa') shows why the food crisis is the biggest challenge that may be solved by the solidarity economy. This economic system may advance food sovereignty by promoting small-scale agriculture and semi-subsistence food producers, but there is a need to mobilize agrarian incentives. In the next chapter, Andrew Bennie continues this discussion with a look at two case studies of South African townships: first, a study of forming a solidarity economy network; second, creating an agricultural worker cooperative. In the final chapter, Athish Kirun Satgoor describes an example of the potential of the solidarity economy. He explores the experience of the occupation and worker takeover of the Mineline-Tap Engineering factory. The chapter shows the possibilities of using Wainwright's concept of labor as a creative common and the struggle and capacity for worker control.The book gives a coherent view of the solidarity economy. However, it lacks a critical summary that could have been presented in a separate chapter or foreword. For example, it would have been interesting to have had more discussion on future research directions, on the relationship of the solidarity economy with the welfare state, and the politics of non-state social welfare in the Global South. It is interesting that the volume focuses mainly on the economic practices and, for the most part, does not directly refer to theories of economic systems. Thus, the book avoids describing the relationship of the solidarity economy with other emerging systems. The positioning of this alternative economic system among concepts such as the informal economy, underground economy, gift economy, moral economy, creative economy, and sharing economy might have been particularly interesting for scholars.Nevertheless, The Solidarity Economy Alternative organizes theory and practice and may be valuable to scholars and practitioners interested (or engaged) in designing social policies and community development.