This reader is an early project of the B.C. - Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA). Sharing key readings relevant to BALTA's central research questions was viewed as an efficient way of building a common language and points of reference for researchers, partners and students. While an immediate goal of the Reader is to provide a resource to those associated with BALTA, this reader should be of broad relevance to anyone with an interest in community economic development and the social economy.