Community Economies in the Global South: Case Studies of Rotating Savings and Credit Associations and Economic Cooperation

People around the world engage in social and solidarity economics to help themselves, their community, and society on their own terms. Community Economies in the Global South explores how people who conscientiously organize rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) bring positive changes to their own lives and others. ROSCAs are a long-established and well-documented practice, especially those organized by women of color. This book showcases women in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia who organize and use these associations, composed of ordinary people belonging to similar class origins who decide jointly on the rules to suit the interests of their members. The case studies demonstrate how ROSCAs vary greatly across countries in the Global South, proving that diverse community economies do exist and have been around for a long time. The contributors recount stories of self-help, activism, and perseverance to push for ethical, community-focused business and hold onto local knowledge, grounded theory, and lived experience, reducing the need to rely on external funding.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

People around the world are embracing social and solidarity economics to shape their own lives, communities, and societies according to their own values. In the Global South, community economies are gaining attention as individuals organize rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs), bringing about positive changes in their own lives and those around them. ROSCAs, a long-standing and well-documented practice, particularly those led by women of color, have been instrumental in empowering communities. Members contribute regular deposits to a fund, which is distributed to each member based on collective economic principles. This book showcases the remarkable stories of women in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia who are at the forefront of organizing and utilizing ROSCAs. These associations are made up of ordinary people from similar class backgrounds who come together to decide on the rules that serve the interests of their members. The case studies presented in this book highlight the diverse experiences of ROSCAs across countries in the Global South, demonstrating that diverse community economies do exist and have been thriving for centuries. The contributors share personal accounts of self-help, activism, and perseverance among racialized individuals who are advocating for ethical, community-focused businesses and preserving local knowledge, grounded theory, and lived experiences. By reducing reliance. The need for external funding, people are finding innovative ways to finance sustainable, debt-free business ventures.

This volume, the first collection on this topic edited by two women of color with roots in the Global South, serves as a rallying call for scholar-activists to explore and document how racialized people come together, pool resources, and diversify businesses in the Global South. It highlights the importance of studying and reporting on these practices, as they contribute to the development of more inclusive and sustainable economies. By recognizing and supporting the contributions of racialized individuals and communities, we can foster a more equitable and prosperous world for all.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198865629