This document summarizes a presentation on solidarity economy and the kingdom economy. It discusses how solidarity economy has taken hold in Latin America through social movements that resisted foreign capitalists and nationalized industries. The presentation argues that the kingdom economy focuses on stewardship and compassion rather than greed. It also outlines several principles of solidarity economy like community supported agriculture, fair trade, and microfinance that have helped communities in developing countries. The document concludes that solidarity economy could thrive in the Philippines if figures emerge to champion redeeming values that encourage cooperation over competition and value-centered economic gains.

1. Final Exam- Part 1
in partial completion of IR 220 HRD in the National Level, Prof. Rosa Mercado
ALFREDO V. PRIMICIAS III- UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, SCHOOL OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 1
1. Can Solidarity Economy thrive in PH realities based on Dr Quinones’ ideas?
Solidarity Economy is a “social and cultural matrix where economic, commercial and
financial interactions are played out in an atmosphere of mutual trust, care and respect.”1
It is further characterized as “sharing of responsibility, collaboration and reciprocity among
common business people where the interests on protecting the environment and
sustaining the ecology are imperative. Currently, Latin America has started the
movement to resist foreign capitalists (or TNCs) through its communities and other
political elements. The social movement has been consequently strong that several core
industries were nationalized and reformation of existing democratic constitution. The
effects of solidarity economy in Latin America has been truly astounding2
:
 Bankrupt private companies in Brazil and Argentina are taken over by organized
workers.
 Some public parks and open spaces in Argentina and Bolivia grow edible gardens
by unemployed urban citizens.
 Venezuelan government helps hundreds of cooperative formed by previous
unorganized sectors, and more.
Then on April 10, invited speaker Dr Benjamin Quinones, Jr. presented a talk on two
topics: (1) Transition to the kingdom economy through social enterprise; and (2) The
kingdom economy as a way of life.
The Kingdom Economy as a Way of Life. This 23- slide presentation fundamentally
speaks of economics as an unpopular theological concept where Your Church Magazine
implied that only 3% biblical preachers talk about money in their Sunday sermons, simply
because Christians obey Matthew 28:18- 20.3
Slide 7 was evident to declare that worldly
economic systems produce “greed and self- centeredness,” as opposed to the biblical
economic system that produces values of “stewardship and compassion.” The mindset is
rather simple, God (the omniscient divine being) created and owns earth, while Man is
the steward who is responsible in cultivating and developing the wealth of the earth (see
Matthew 25: 14- 30 and Genesis 41). John 15:5 stressed that if Man is with God, “he will
bear much fruit; apart from me Man can do nothing.”
Transition To the Kingdom Economy through Social Enterprise. This 27- slide
presentation is broken down into several key concepts, namely:
 3 things that will make kingdom economy work- (1) clear vision; (2) socio-
economic system; and (3) pivotal actor (conduit).
 CSA or community supported agriculture is a dependent approach between
farmers and consumers where both gain benefits of development and progress.
1 Mercado, R. C. Slide 9, PPT- Solidarity Economy: Alternative Economy, UP SOLAIR, Diliman, PH.
2 Ibid. Slide 11.
3 Dominion of Jesus Christ over all affairs of the Christians.

2. Final Exam- Part 1
in partial completion of IR 220 HRD in the National Level, Prof. Rosa Mercado
ALFREDO V. PRIMICIAS III- UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, SCHOOL OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 2
 10 Principles of Teikei as advocated by Japan Organic Agriculture Association in
1978. Personally, I find principle 7 (democratic management) as most pragmatic
since responsibility is shared.
 Fair Trade is a partnership with dialogues that are transparent and respectful, and
seeks equity in international markets.
 MicroFinance as demonstrated by FIDAP (Farmers Integrated Development
Assistance Program) and TSKI (Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc.) is a powerful tool to
mitigate the shortage on cash. Moreover, FIDAP has illustrated that it can develop
communities by enabling farmers plan their own business plan.
 Developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa have embraced CSA and
have seen remarkable changes.
Therefore, to address the question, “Can Solidarity Economy thrive or flourish in the PH?”
Dr. Quinones’ Sowing The Seeds of Solidarity Economy: Asian Experiences,
reprised the statements of former NEDA head Dr Cielito Habito, “The modern economy,
it seems, is built on such conflicting motives among its various players (vis-à-vis
consumers will pay low prices for goods and services they buy but producers want to
charge high prices as possible among others).”4
Dr Habito credits Adam Smith’s concept
of the invisible hand where “combined actions of all players in the economy, acting on the
basis of self-interest gives rise to an ‘invisible hand’ that yields efficient outcomes.”5
Habito regressed harshly by reacting, “In the direct conflict of motives between buyers
and sellers, workers and employers, and debtors and creditors, there is rarely a balance
of power… within a competitive economy, there are bound to be winners and losers; win-
win outcomes are not the rule, but the exception.”6
My analysis, therefore is, YES, we Filipinos can make Solidarity Economy work—but as
the EDSA bloodless Revolution needed figures like Marcos and Aquino (Ninoy- his death;
Cory- her puritan image) we also need to have one redeeming value to fight for that is
loud enough to evoke heroism on each of us to become bolder and braver to desist
capitalistic competition and forward value- centered economic gains.
4 Page 200, Quinones, B. Sowing the Seeds of Solidarity Economy. Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Malaysia. 2012.
5 Ibid.
6 Ibid.