Living Economics

Though it accounts for approximately eight percent of Canada’s GDP, the social economy has only recently begun to receive wider attention in academic circles and beyond. This book is the first to present, in an accessible manner, the various perspectives being used to explore and analyze this “third sector” of the economy, which includes co-operatives, credit unions, non-profit organizations, the voluntary sector, and social enterprise — activities that emphasize the creation of public good as their primary goal.

The contributors to this groundbreaking book — including many of the leading thinkers in the field from across Canada — grapple with the debates, challenges, and opportunities offered by the social economy as Canada experiences rapid changes in the 21st century, be they economic, industrial, environmental, or social.