Economia solidária e educação política_um estudo de caso de duas associações no município de Lavras

Abstract

In a context of the crisis of the capitalist economy, characterized by unemployment and social exclusion, it is possible and necessary to think of another type of economy, solidarity. The solidarity economy consists of popular organizations that are born within society in order to meet the economic needs of its members and express themselves in various ways, whether in associations, cooperatives, trade clubs, popular banks and others. These organizations operate under the principles of solidarity, cooperation, autonomy and democratic management. The solidarity economic enterprises are managed by their associates and associates, primarily, through assemblies, in which all and all have the right to voice and vote, so that participation in decision-making processes is an important aspect of this mode of organization. This participation accomplishes the ideals of participatory democracy, whose result is not limited only to decisions, but also to greater control of people over their own life, as well as the development of the social and political capacities of each individual. Thus, this research sought to elucidate the extent to which solidarity economy enterprises effectively promote political education of entrepreneurs through political participation and how this participation is carried out. And, in addition, what actions the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) can promote to contribute to this political education. The research was developed with two solidarity economic enterprises established in the city of Lavras, in the south of Minas Gerais: the Associação Lavrense dos Artesãos e Arte Culinária (ALAC) and the Associação dos Catadores de Material Reciclável de Lavras (ACAMAR). We used the methodology of case study, whose research instruments had a qualitative-quantitative approach. The instruments adopted were a semi-structured interview with the president of each association, application of a semi-structured questionnaire to members and associates and observation performed during the application of questionnaires. The results show that there are, yes, political practices in ALAC and ACAMAR. Despite the need to strengthen the democratic processes of the associations, it was also found that to a large extent, solidarity economy enterprises promote the political education of their members. Judging by the data found, which indicators of political education built in this research, reached 40 to 50% of the members and associates of ALAC and ACAMAR, highlighting the concern of many of these associates and associated with social inequality, the environment, the community and the conduct of political representatives. The study also identified the need for constant actions and training events for members and associates in the most diverse areas that involve these organizations. As a technical product of this research, a collective conversation on Solidarity Economy was held, uniting ALAC and ACAMAR, the community, the government and the university, in order to value and give visibility to the important role of these associations.