Abstract

The connection between more community-driven and inclusive economic development policy such as that embodied in the social and solidarity economy (SSE) has been explored and established by recent research. However, despite the wealth of knowledge surrounding these local economic democracy efforts, our understanding of the resilience of these economic democracy policies based on local electoral politics warrants further investigation. Building upon existing literature, this article explores the interplay between local electoral politics and institutions created to advance the more democratic local economic development strategies embodied in the SSE. This study explores whether local electoral swings undermine policies and institutions launched to promote more democratic, inclusive, and community-driven economic development models. Using data from semi-structured interviews of policy elites, participant observations from public and governmental hearings, site visits, and review of key policy and legislative documents, this article provides a case study of whether ideological and electoral shifts in local (and regional) politics undermine these new economic democracy-related institutions. This article contributes to the growing body of literature on policy and institutional resiliency in local economic democracy efforts by exploring the often-overlooked role of local elections in shaping policies such as the SSE.