The thesis explores how European social movements have actively contested that there is no alternative to capitalism by constructing alternative trading practices in solidarity with marginalized peoples in the global South. The study adopts the example of the European Zapatista solidarity network (Redprozapa) to examine the nature of organizations involved in radical political practices. One organization Ya Basta-Milano is focused on to examine in detail the operation of, and challenges faced by, an autonomous political group that engages in solidarity trade. Solidarity and autonomy are the key conceptual themes, which the investigation revolves around. The research dwells upon the potential importance as well as the limitations of solidarity trade as an emerging form of constructive resistance. It concentrates upon the subject of autonomous spaces that embodies the physical and political context in which autonomous social movements promote their practices. It questions the contradictions met in this environment despite the romanticized idea promoted by some academic literature. Finally, it provides methodological insights about solidarity action research and personal implications of working with radical groups as an activist academic.

The global economic scenario has undergone significant changes in recent years, due mainly to factors such as globalization, competitiveness and technological advances. Therefore, this research aims to identify the profile of social economy enterprises in the case study of the 18th State Fair of Cooperatives (FEICOOP) held annually in Santa Maria. This scenario involves economic aspects and the political, organizational, informational, commercial, cultural and social, among others, that relate in a dynamic way. From there, the knowledge is with the emergence of concepts fundamental to the determination of a new opportunity for social economy. In this sense, it highlights the social and scientific relevance of this work, as determining the profile of entrepreneurs to economic solidarity of the participants of the 18th FEICOOP is possible to ensure continuous improvement of processes involving the development and growth of economic enterprises in solidarity. By identifying this profile facilitates the development of actions necessary for the growth of these enterprises. Also, the definition of the profile directly assists workers and family members who survive this alternative to generating employment and income. The case study was developed through exploratory, descriptive and explanatory, and data collection was performed during days 8, 9 and 10 July 2011, in 18th FEICOOP. The results showed that women predominated, involvement of family consisting of entrepreneurs, especially in the craft as a major promoter of the solidarity economy, with little access to government resources and NGOs This view is necessary because some aspects passing irrelevant into account the regional analysis specific than are needed for growth and development of social economy. The exhibitors of the fair participants are from different Brazilian regions, specifying the overview of the economic solidarity of the organization before the fair. Still, showed that each development, with different cultures, we adopt a local development plan differentiated, depending on family income and number of unemployed in need of new economic activities. / O cenário econômico mundial vem sofrendo significativas transformações nos últimos anos, decorrentes, sobretudo de fatores como a globalização, a competitividade e os avanços tecnológicos. Portanto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo identificar o perfil dos empreendimentos de economia solidária com estudo do caso da 18ª Feira Estadual do Cooperativismo (FEICOOP) realizada anualmente em Santa Maria. Este cenário econômico envolve aspectos e dimensões políticas, organizacionais, informacionais, comerciais, culturais e sociais, entre outras, que se relacionam de maneira dinâmica. A partir daí, o conhecimento se dá com o surgimento de conceitos fundamentais para a deliberação de uma nova oportunidade social de economia. Neste sentido, se destaca à relevância social e científica deste trabalho, pois com a determinação do perfil dos empreendedores de economia solidária dos participantes da 18ª FEICOOP é possível assegurar a melhoria contínua dos processos que envolvem o desenvolvimento e crescimento dos empreendimentos econômicos solidários. Através da identificação deste perfil facilita o desenvolvimento de ações necessárias para o crescimento desses empreendimentos. Também, a definição do perfil auxilia diretamente, trabalhadores e familiares que sobrevivem desta alternativa para geração de trabalho e renda. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido através de pesquisa exploratória, descritiva e explicativa, e a coleta de dados foi realizada durante os dias 8, 9 e 10 de julho de 2011, na 18ª FEICOOP. Os resultados mostraram que predominou as mulheres, participação de empreendedores constituídos de família, com destaque no artesanato como grande promovedor da economia solidária, com pouco acesso a recursos governamentais e ONGs. Essa visão é necessária, devido alguns aspectos passarem irrelevantes em consideração à análise regional específica que são necessários para o crescimento e desenvolvimento da economia solidária. Os expositores da feira são participantes de diferentes regiões brasileiras, especificando a visão geral da econômica solidária diante da organização da feira. Ainda, evidenciou que cada empreendimento, com diferentes culturas, adota um plano de desenvolvimento local diferenciados, dependendo da renda per capita e quantidade de desempregados que necessitam de novas atividades econômicas.