NEWS FROM BRAZIL
supplied by Brazil Justice Net
Number 526, March 11, 2005
This edition of News from Brazil focuses on one
alternative to the neo-liberal economic system.
An Economy of Solidarity
When one way of thinking dominates the world, one has the impression that
nothing will ever change. This is especially true when one thinks about the
World Economy. In Brazil as well as other countries, to talk about dismantling
capitalism is to talk heresy, principally among the conservative sectors of the
society.
However, in social-political activist circles show, there are alternatives to
capitalism. They demonstrate that the current economic model can be
broken.
One example of this are undertakings of solidarity economy and ethical and
responsible consumerism, two areas which are gaining more attention among social
movements. A solidarity economy may be defined as a way of organizing
activities of production, consumption, savings and credit which work to equalize
the rights of all that are involved in these activities. These undertakings
have one thing in common: decisions are made based on discussions involving all
participants.
Essentially associative, solidarity economy is incompatible with typical
owner-worker relationships. It uses a model of cooperatives in various
areas: production, credit, training, health, education, banking, etc. But it is
necessary to point out that not all undertakings which use the name cooperative
are examples of solidarity economy as many do not practice common
decision-making.
How is it possible, then, that economic and consumer terms, so linked to
capitalism, be considered “solidarity?” This is a question which always arises
in discussions around this topic. The National Secretary of Solidarity Economy
and Work, Paul Singer, explains that the idea of economy is not synonymous with
capitalism. He points out the fact that the separation between those that have
property/capital and those who work for a salary is not the only way to organize
economic activity. “There are diverse modes of production: individual,
familial, non-profit, and solidarity. Under the form of cooperativism,
solidarity economy has already existed for 200 years in practically all
countries of the world.”
Another positive aspect of solidarity economy is in the area of geography. In
spite of its continental dimensions, Brazil’s economic activities are focused in
very specific regions [mainly in the metropolitan areas along the coast]. “The
model of the formal sector today in Brazil is a producer of concentration in
income and territory because, while the economy is concentrated in determined
areas, it leaves others completely out. This is the problem, principally in a
country like ours which has so many treasures but have yet to be discovered,”
commented Joao Roberto Lopes, coordinator of The Brazilian Institute of Social
and Economic Analysis. However, Lopes goes on to say that solidarity economy
has possibilities of mobilizing in areas that big capital cannot: the
integration of the local realities into solidarity economy. This drives the
development of these undertakings and encourages growth in the local communities.
One of the treasures that Lopes mentions can be found in the Association of
Small Farmers of Valente Municipality (Apaeb). Localized in the semi-arid
region of the state of Bahia, the cooperative is the fruit of a movement which
happened at the end of the 70's. During that time the farmers of that region
organized a march to the capital of Bahia, Salvador, and demanded for the end of
a tax they were paying to sell their products in a farmer’s market. Due to the
extraordinary turnout of the march, the Bahian government gave in to their
request. Amazed at their own success, the workers returned to their city and
began to organize themselves into a cooperative. Twenty years later, Apaeb has
generated nearly 800 jobs, and continues to struggle for a life of dignity for
men and women of the semi-arid region.
The coordinator of Apaeb, Ismael Ferreira, said that the first activity of the
association was to create a selling post where the farmers and associates
commercialized their products and bought others at a low prices, with the idea
that no one would generate grand profits. The next step was to organize the
population to sell en masse “sisal,” which is a widely-found plant of the region
whose fibers can be used to make rugs and carpets. Slowly, Apaeb began to
diversify, investing in milk production and a tannery. They also promoted
workshops and activities which helped the people become more aware of their
rights and duties as citizens. According to Ferreira, 95% of the costs of their
projects are paid for out of the resources of the association itself.
This is just one of the cases of successful solidarity economy in the country.
There are others, like the women working in the area of palm tree production in
the Northeast of the country who organized themselves to protect their
plantations and to defend themselves from the pressures of local ranchers. In
the region of Medio Mearin, 300 kilometers from Sao Luis, one group was able to
acquire a press to make soap which they then export to Europe. And the
settlements of agrarian reform also have inserted themselves in this model,
producing foods and helping provide a life of dignity for rural populations.
But it is not only in rural areas where solidarity economy is showing signs of
success. In December of 2004, the 3rd
Metropolitan Fair of Solidarity Economy was held in Sao Paulo. For two
days, clothes, food and artisan products made from recycled materials were on display
from all solidarity economy groups from around the metropolitan area. Kelma de
Oliveira from Jardim Angela, located on the periphery of the city, was
displaying her artisan products. She has been an artist for years, but only in
the last couple has she joined forces with other women in the neighbor to begin
production. “This has helped me a lot. Alone, I couldn’t do
anything, but in a group, yes. In Jardim Angela, we do a lot of good work. I even noticed that
the level of violence in the neighborhood has gone down.”
In this same neighborhood, there is a project called Cosmovision Association,
which promotes training courses, workshops, and seminars for the local
population. Itamar Bueno Freitas, the president of the association,
commented,
“We emphasize the need for each one to generate employment, and at the same time
alway working to better one’s work. But the best of all is the friendships that
one establishes with other people.”
Source: translated from an article by Chistiane Gomes appearing in Sem Terra,
January-February, 2005
The reproduction of this material is permitted as long as the source is cited.