An approach between universal pragmatics and solidarity economy: the case of Catende

Abstract

This article aims to make universal pragmatics, a key element of Habermas` communicative rationality, closer to the concepts of solidarity economy advocated by Paul Singer. Regarding Habermas`theory, it is limited to the idea of reconstructing the universal conditions of a possible mutual understanding, with no regard to understanding the semantic relations in dialogic procedures, which play a key role in Hagerman`theory. The theoretical reflection adopted as an empirical instrument, by means of a non-generalizable case study, “Projeto Harmonia”, in the town of Catende, Pernambuco, Brazil. To do this, two field studies were conducted: interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire and a quantitative survey by applying questionnaires face to face. The exploratory survey identified four categories of workers (from mills, with sugar cane, without sugar cane, favorable to collective reform), distinctly analyzed during data collection.