Popular Economy: livelihoods and public policies in Villavicencio-Colombia (2012-2018)

Abstract

Introduction: In Villavicencio city in 2018, the population had the Informal economy as the income source for the middle of the population, one quarter of the population were in poverty, and in turn, one quarter were registered as victims of the armed conflict. In this condition, a huge group of people dedicated themselves to street sales as an alternative to unemployment and thus achieve their livelihood.

Objective: This article aims to analyze the livelihoods of street vendors in Villavicencio to achieve the reproduction of their life in the face of national social policies in the period 2010-2018.

Method and technique: The qualitative methodology was selected from the Latin American Configuration ism approach and the social policies that the national governments developed and that reached this population was observed. A case study was developed with in-depth interviews with a population of 12 people dedicated to street vendors in Villavicencio.

Results: The livelihoods of this population were identified from the economic, financial, social dimensions, and concerning the State, making visible from their point of view, the interpretation of reality and the role of the national government in the face of its problems.

[Continue reading in the article]