Placing the Foundational Economy: An emerging discourse for post-neoliberal economic development

Emerging in the mid-2010s, Foundational Economy has been heralded as ‘a compelling counter-project against neoliberalism’ and ‘an alternative pathway … [for] progressive political renewal’. Grounded a review of cross-disciplinary debates, this paper introduces concept places it relation to heterodox geographic theories socio-economic development such ‘social economy’ ‘diverse economies’ literature. Whilst there are clear overlaps, can be distinguished through its commitment (a) zonal perspective; (b) focus on maximalist social innovations; (c) reconstitution citizenship. In radical combination, is argued that lens facilitates trenchant critique denaturalization current conditions, tandem with creative explorations economy alternatives’. The concludes by reflecting oversights future research trajectories for research.