La moneda social Palmas, viejos instrumentos, nuevas soluciones: Un análisis sociológico del dinero

Abstract

Currencies are traditionally studied through the lens of classical economics, backed by an approach to the model of commodity production. Contrary to this approach, the article aims, under the light of economic sociology and anthropology and also of the social and solidarity economy, to discuss some of the results of the implementation and use of social currencies, local currency, in territories of vulnerability and economic marginality. The reflection developed here is the result of an empirical and ethnographic investigation carried out in the Conjunto Palmeiras in the city of Fortaleza, northeast Brazil, together with its Palmas community bank. The objective is to show that Palmas Social Currency is a pertinent case study to demonstrate that the "extra economic" principles defended in the "sociological currency" do apply in modern life. Understanding that economy is imbued with diverse meanings, currency is analyzed qualitatively. It is expected to show how dimensions of reliability, sociability and territoriality are present in economic relations given by the use of a social currency