Welfare as Work? The Potential of the UK Social Economy

Abstract

The authors provide a critical assessment of the emerging academic and policy consensus over the potential of local social economy initiatives to deliver social and economic regeneration. Drawing on material from 60 case studies in the United Kingdom, they examine three central claims made for the social economy: that it is empowering, economically sustainable, and capable of providing a real alternative to the 'mainstream' public and private sector economies. They argue that the empirical evidence offers only ambiguous support for these claims and that the full potential of the UK social economy is not being realised. They identify several factors currently inhibiting the development of effective local social economy projects in the United Kingdom. They conclude by proposing a range of measures that could remove the financial and practical barriers currently constraining the development of an effective and lasting social economy in the United Kingdom.(1) These features of social enterprises are paraphrased from a longer definition appearing in Borzaga and Maiello (1998, page 77).

Towards an Appreciation of Ethics in Social Enterprise Business Models

“…A gradual move from redistributive philanthropy to forms of market-action is also found in some early UK research (Amin et al 1999;Westall 2001). The efect was to raise the proile of social businesses as a policy option through joint action by governments and private charitable foundations or through partnerships with 'responsible' corporations.…”

Establishing the economics of engaging communities in health promotion: what is desirable, what is feasible?

“…A number of potentially relevant references were identified by the search strategy (Clabots and Dolphin 1992, Evans and McGaha 1998, Amin et al 1999, Zaza et al 2001, Burton et al 2004, McDonald 2004. However, no relevant economic evaluation or costing study was found.…”

Social Economy Involvement in Public Service Delivery: Community Engagement and Accountability

“…Second, they provide scope for innovative capacity building on the ground, which may be beyond the capabilities of local authorities (Turner and Martin, 2005). Thus in addition to delivering public services, they may have the potential to simultaneously support local regeneration and build social cohesion (Amin et al, 1999). However, at least two problems associated with using social economy organisations to deliver public services can be identified, and which are explored below.…”

“…In line with these policy changes and as part of its modernisation agenda, the UK government has increasingly looked to the social economy -voluntary and community organisations -to become involved in public service delivery. Because, it is argued, these organisations are rooted in their communities, they have the capacity to provide solutions to social issues that meet the needs of local people, and provide the additional benefit of building social cohesion and social capital (Amin et al, 1999;Williams, 2003). These developments can be seen in the context of a broader 'Third Way' policy agenda (Giddens, 1998;, and fit neatly into the thinking that has been so influential within the New Labour government since 1997.…”