Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 政治學研究所 === 100 === This thesis discusses the concept of “social economy”. The Social Economy enterprises consist of four organizational forms: cooperative, mutual, foundation, and association. The numbers of cooperatives, members and employments worldwide show that cooperatives are significant for the world.
Taiwan’s cooperatives had undergone a long period of time for development. In the case study of Fu-Shing Village and Kalala tribe in Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, I found that certain preparatory institutes of cooperatives have been established. The cooperatives not only create more job opportunities for local people, but also promoting the ideas of organic agriculture and environmental protection.
In general, social economy is important because of two aspects: economic profits and social utility. From economic perspective, cooperatives are able to create economies of scale and bring in great profits. It is important especially for remote or rural areas.
On the other hand, social economy is irreplaceable for its pursuit of social utility. It consolidates the social solidarity, ameliorating social problems, providing social welfare services, and improving the qualities of labor force.
The government and people should know more about social economy and help local Social Economy enterprises to advance, making it possible to pursue both economic viability and social responsibility. If the Social Economy enterprises could acquire effective aids, they are proved to be feasible. Social economy is a necessary supplement and parallel economic institution for the capitalism system.
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