TERRITORY AND ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIES

Abstract

The concept of territory is increasingly present in the public discourse in Latin America. It is typically used to invoke concrete experiences as opposed to abstract thought. Most importantly, it proposes the relationship between society and nature and in particular the complex inter-relationship among society, economics and nature. This paper, originally presented at a conference to discuss the process of regionalization in Bolivia, begins by addressing the concept of economy as a mixed system which includes private (capitalist), public and popular economies with their different spatial relations. In particular it draws lessons from the social and solidarity economy that could usefully be applied to the conceptualization of regions and regional development planning in Bolivia.