Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Introduction
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE AGE OF ATROCITIES: CHANGING OUR WORLD, pp. 1-19, Zachary D. Kaufman, ed., Edward Elgar Publishing., 2012
19 Pages Posted: 21 Sep 2012 Last revised: 25 Sep 2012
Date Written: 2012
Abstract
This book chapter, authored by Dr. Zachary D. Kaufman, is the first chapter in the book SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE AGE OF ATROCITIES: CHANGING OUR WORLD (edited by Dr. Zachary D. Kaufman and published by Edward Elgar Publishing, which has published many of the leading books on social entrepreneurship).
This introductory chapter provides an overview of social entrepreneurship itself, exploring the definition of social entrepreneurship, its history and institutions, and qualities of social entrepreneurs. The chapter then considers potential perils and pitfalls of social entrepreneurship, including unintended consequences and criticisms of social entrepreneurs and social enterprises.
The chapter next explains the book’s purposes. The book’s authors hope to (1) contribute to the field of social entrepreneurship through their personal insight, (2) help clarify the concept of social entrepreneurship, (3) raise public awareness about social entrepreneurship, (4) explore leadership in innovative activist organizations, and (5) by focusing on initiatives in or relating to regions that have suffered atrocities, discuss the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities for social entrepreneurship in a particular – and particularly critical – context.
Finally, the chapter describes the book’s eight profiled social enterprises: the National Vision for Sierra Leone, Asylum Access, the Kigali Public Library, Indego Africa, Generation Rwanda, Orphans Against AIDS, Americans for Informed Democracy, and Children of Abraham.
Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship, Social Enterprise, Atrocities, Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, Human Rights, Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Reconciliation, Conflict Resolution, Development, Peace-building, Growth, Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Refugees, Orphans, AIDS
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation