Social Entrepreneurship: Leading Social Change
Despite the tremendous developments realized in the United States over the last century, the country is still facing numerous problems. The issues of poverty, inequality, environmental crises, deprivation as well as social crises are dominant in the nation. A serious crisis has also been identified in political and social institutions thus leading to public dissatisfaction. Although the US has been ranked the world’s largest economy, it is sad to note that the society depicts a high sense of fragmentation, passiveness as well as lack of innovation. This phenomenon has led to a series of socio-economic, political as well as environmental problems. In response to these deep-rooted problems, a new innovative approach is required to curb the situation. Social entrepreneurship stands to be the only solution to these problems thus leading significant change and development to the US society and the world at large. The US government should prioritize social entrepreneurship by leading social change, thus being able to counter the current socio-political and economic problems. This paper will provide an explicit discussion and analysis regarding the concept of social Entrepreneurship: leading social change.
According to Bornstein (42), social entrepreneurship is an efficient tool for countering the large scale social problems dominant in a nation. Yunus (102) noted that social entrepreneurs identifies and gives solutions to social problems in a large scale. Social entrepreneurs have been acknowledged for acting as change agents for the society by improving systems, inventing new approaches as well as advancing sustainable solutions. This phenomenon has been evident in many development nations like the UK, whereby social entrepreneurs have been credited for being champions of social development. Through the concept of social entrepreneurship, social value and transformation is realized thus leading to solutions of critical problems (Yunus 102). It is of great importance to note that social entrepreneurship is primarily aimed at generating social value rather than being profit motivated. Long term social change and sustainability in the entire society is the primary motive of social entrepreneurship.
By leading social change, governments are able to realize the ultimate benefit from social entrepreneurship, in that they provide the much needed support and guidance. Bornstein (51) indicated that social entrepreneurship enhances innovation in the society by developing and taking opportunities that help in transforming their lives and those of others. In this case, social entrepreneurship helps in mobilization of resources, responsibility and galvanization of action. This is very essential in enhancing social participation, renewal and economic regeneration. Yunus (104) postulated that the concept of social entrepreneurship is very vital in offering solution to social problems in that it helps in identification of their causes rather than symptoms. This is very crucial in ensuring sustainability in the provision of solutions unlike business entrepreneurs who go for short-term solutions without consideration of consequences.
The issue of accountability and responsibility in addressing social or human problems is realized through social entrepreneurship. With reference to the ideas of Bornstein (80), social entrepreneurship induces the public to take responsibility and involve others. Social entrepreneurs act as role models thus help in inspiring and manipulating the entire society to the better. A sense of duty is also cultivated among the individuals thus increasing consciousness about their actions. Social entrepreneurship helps in providing light to stuck societies, thus helping in alleviating the barriers to social development. Hidden talents and unexploited natural resources are also focused by social entrepreneurship, thus leading to optimum developments. By so doing rapid growth and development in social-political and economic aspects is realized (Bornstein 80).