What is Cooperative?
A '''cooperative''' (also spelled '''co-operative,''' or '''co-op''') is when several people come together in [[cooperation]] to reach a common goal through [[mutualism|mutural aid]]. It is a type of [[organization]] used to make the lives of its members easier; it is usually not focused on making [[profit]], instead focusing on serving member needs. == Characteristics == Cooperative [[ownership]] can have different details about what ownership means and how cooperation works. A basic cooperative-ownership structure has the following characteristics: * Ownership is based on voluntary participation * Members of the cooperative are also users (also known as patrons) * Decisions are made on a basis of one member = one vote Co-operatives are [[democratic]] organizations owned by the people who use them. Cooperative organizations help people adapt to [[capitalism]]. == History and examples == The first cooperative was a store in [[Rochdale]], England started in 1844. The people who started it wanted food that was cheaper and better quality. Since then, people have found many ways to cooperate. Examples of cooperatives: * Farmers provide their own transport and marketing to get better prices for their crops * Poor people protect themselves from money-lenders, and workers save for their retirement (as in a [[credit union]]) * Fishers package their fish to get a better price * Villagers provide themselves with electricity or water * Residents own their [[apartment]] building The International Cooperative Alliance was started in 1885. It reports that there are 800 million cooperative members in the world. == Other websites == * [http://manchesterhistory.net/rochdale.html/ Rochdale - Birthplace of Cooperation]{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [http://www.ica.coop/ International Cooperative Alliance] <br />{{stub}} [[Category:Business organizations]]