Abstract:
The development of the third sector in Australia has involved the negotiation
of varying forms of state and market regulatory mechanisms. In the course
of these settlements, ground-up initiatives have often found that authenticity
is only the starting point on journeys that end in incorporation. Social
entrepreneurship is an emerging set of ideas which attempts to hold on to
the authentic and unique elements generated by grassroots actions. What
are its chances of success'? This article sets out to answer this question
through a discussion of regulation and social capital. A four-fold model of
social capital formation is advanced which outlines 'defensive',
'consolidative ', 'inclusive' and 'regulated' social capital. It is concluded that
while social entrepreneurship has the potential to shift social capital formation
from reactive to active forms, it is likely to become increasingly standardised
and regulated.
Can you turn a Coca-Cola vending machine into an
information point/or communities? And by the way. can we
have 12 per cent of everything that is sold? That is about
thinking outside the box, (Mawson 2001: 164)
For the social entrepreneurs, real power came from giving
power away. (Latham 2001: 125).
