FROM INDIVIDUALISM TO COOPERATION: THE ECONOMIC CHANGE THAT COSTA RICA NEEDS

Abstract

The transition toward a collaborative, social, and digital economy is more than a technological shift; it represents a profound cultural and economic transformation. Digital platforms have created opportunities in sectors such as transportation, lodging, and commerce, but they also pose regulatory and social challenges. In Costa Rica, this transition is inevitable, yet significant obstacles remain, including the lack of coordination among public, private, and community sectors and an insufficient legal framework for collaborative platforms. Another critical challenge is the digital divide, which excludes thousands of people, particularly in rural areas, from participating in these new economic models. Without universal internet access and digital literacy, discussing collaborative or digital economies risks leaving behind a large portion of the population. To address these issues, a National Policy for Collaborative, Social, and Digital Economy is proposed, based on three pillars: updating regulations to ensure equity and social protection, strengthening digital skills through training and access to technology, and promoting intersectoral alliances to foster inclusive and sustainable innovation. The real challenge is cultural: building trust and cooperation so that individual progress aligns with collective well-being. Costa Rica has the opportunity to lead this transformation and become a global reference for inclusive development.