How can co-operative movements link up with other social movements (e.g. student movements, food and peasants’ movements)? Can co-operatives offer a radical alternative to capitalist economy, or do they just seek to mitigate its effects?
Social movements are nothing but collective actions guided by a similar ideology initiated by a leader to bring about social transformation. Co-operatives in the form of movements have been facilitated where the ideologies of the collective are same as the state. But if they are different it leads to repression. INC is an example of success, while the failure to legitimize state authority in case of the East European countries can be considered as an example of failure.So the success of the movement depends on how it is carried out and whether the proposed strategy is accepted or not.
Cooperative movements start when an autonomous group of people unite voluntarily to meet their common economic and social goals. People definitely are highly motivated and mobile and have high cohesion in a cooperative group which is the most obvious pre requite of a collective action. Thus it can also act as a platform for other social movements. I don’t think that cooperatives can act as alternative to capitalist economy. Both have their importance in different contexts. We need a proper mix of both types for an overall growth of economy.
Every person or system is not black or white but the shades of grey..what I mean to say is that both cooperatives and capitalists are equally important and as now we often hear of 'cooperative capitalism'. Though not radical alternative but cooperative is effective tool for grassroot mobilization and protection against capitalist exploitation. As far as social movement is concerned cooperative movement is precursor for social movement for e.g. industrial revolution, Gandhian satyagraha for indigo farmers in Champaran or be it milk cooperatives of Gujarat.
Cooperative movement was one of the first social movement in modern times. Many social grassroot movements have turned to cooperatives because of the damage caused due to globalisation and worldwide recession to improve living conditions of people and to empower them. Many social enterprises are arising from initiative of grassroot groups and organized and backed by them to achieve peace, prosperity and social equity. Cooperatives can offer an alternative to capitalist economy as they are self- help, not charity and empowerment driven, and put people at the heart of their businesses to meet their common social, economic and cultural needs.
co-operative movements will get automatically linked to other movements if the potential of collective action is truly understood and realised.co-operatives can offer radical alternative to capitalistic economy when they are formed to acheive the bigger good like equitable distribution and not just as means of earning money. few has always dominated masses, but is not possible if masses realise their collective potential.
Most of the grassroots’ social movements have turned to cooperatives due to the ravages of globalism and to empower people for achieving their basic needs. Such cooperative movements may not have permanently achieved their deeper goals, the reason being changing society, so the social goals must be continuously renewed. But it is far superior to capitalism as cooperatives offer an alternative to the world’s hope of achieving peace, prosperity and social equity when compared to marginalized unemployment and privatization fuelled in by capitalism.
History tells us that many Social Movements have turned up into Co-operatives but the time has changed now, the movements are not focused for long term benefits but for fulfillment of a short term objective .Co-operative can mitigate the effects of capitalism but cannot offer an alternative because of the fact that there is a lack of social mobility which can give an uprising to co-operatives. Rise of individualism, lack of belief in socialism are some factors that are influencing the mobilization needed for the success of a social movement into co-operative structure.
cooperative movements can still have its impact because at the heart of every capitalist economy there lies some norms,property rights which emerge from collective action and cooperation.But we need to understand the situations where collective action can be applied.Cooperation can be used to prevent social action turning into revolution, which is the end of social movement
Social movements are consciously initiated and guided collective mobilizations to bring about relatively rapid social change. Co-operatives and movements have collective mobilization as common element but generally co-operatives are institutionalized in order to achieve continuous benefits while movements are still lacking a wholesome component of institution and it may eventually also result in relegation of mobilization. In context of capitalist economy, co-operative are of major concern as all are not having equal access to all the resources due to uneven distribution. They can be the radical alternative but in long run.
Social movements many a times ultimately lead to cooperative movements. Cooperative movements also start taking shape when masses mobilise for a common cause and social movements start. Thus it can be said that social movements give rise to cooperative movements. Cooperative movements can offer a radical alternative to capitalist economy only when they work towards the cause for which they emerged keeping in mind the good of all its members. The moment capitalist thinking starts creeping in a cooperative system, the very purpose of a cooperative goes for a toss.
Social movement means the agitation with ideology against somebody whereas the cooperative movement means collective action with ideology for the betterment to the commons. the specific goals are the key behind the social movements but cooperative movements are for egalitarianism. capitalism is the individual specific so only cooperation can be alternative for it as it will give equal opportunity to develop. Mondragon cooperative of Spain is the good example of it.
Co-operative movement can link up with other social movements whenever there is some agitation or problem regarding some issue. If many co-operative come up, then in the long run, they can even yield the power to replace the capitalist economy. These days, upcoming New generation co-operatives, are a unique combination of co-operatives managed in a corporate style.
Cooperative movements try to provide equitable benefits to the members. And linking up with a social movement will certainly give impetus to the movement. For example, if farmers are fighting for the formation of co-operative for their produce then they can link themselves with a student movement. The student movement, which has a larger reach, can raise the concerns of the farmers at a larger arena. And this ultimately will boost the farmers’ movement. Even if the cant offer a complete solution, but it can effectively mitigate some of the effects (like better price for produce after negotiation).
Cooperative movements have led to formation of such institutions that benefit all its participants. It initiates with certain common ideologies and objectives. People come together in order to achieve them. Social movements are also form of collective actions which arise when some particular goal is to be achieved. Cooperative movements at times start with social movements and cooperation from everyone leads to achieving better results. They are based on ideology of benefits for all rather than just making benefits for oneself.
Cooperative movements can offer a radical alternative to the capitalist economy and the same has been proved in places like Wales, Germany, Denmark and in the form of initiatives by Owenites, Rochadale pioneers and ones based on Raiffeisen Principles. They can link with social movements and offer an integrated solution to social and economic problems of the oppressed.
Student movement, food peasants' movement is also a kind of collective action but with high level of motivation in participation and interest in desired outcome. The same kind of motivation level is required to operate the cooperative as an organization which is indeed a radical alternative to capitalist economy. but at the same time it is the most difficult organization to operate because it difficult to maintain the same spirit among the members as that in the movements.
Co-operative movements can still prove to be a solution for distressed and marginalised peasants. Milk co-operative started as a collective by milk producers, because they find the benefits of co-operation. So can the peasants in the present condition could not get remunerative prices for their produce, could not get fertilizers and other inputs in time and at subsidised rate, they too can put efforts towards collective of co-operative. Co-operative could not be a radical alternative to capitalist economy as both of them are have their own advantage and limitations and they fit in different contexts.
Co-operative movements can still prove to be a solution for distressed and marginalised peasants. Milk co-operative started as a collective by milk producers, because they find the benefits of co-operation. So can the peasants in the present condition could not get remunerative prices for their produce, could not get fertilizers and other inputs in time and at subsidised rate, they too can put efforts towards collective of co-operative. Co-operative could not be a radical alternative to capitalist economy as both of them are have their own advantage and limitations and they fit in different contexts.
Co-operative movement in Kheda had a direct link with India’s freedom movement. The leaders like Tribhuvandas Patel who was an active participant in both the movements. This strengthened the co-operative movement by the farmers of Kheda to fight against the middlemen. In both the movements the visible thing was exploitation. The strategy like milk strike was applied there in Kheda like other movements. If the identified needs and the perceived benefits are more co-operative movement can offer a radical alternative to capitalist economy. The persistency and determination from the part of people will define the end result.
Various sections of society undergo various movements’ for different motives. These movements are carried at different places and with varying motives which gives varying results. If the different groups fighting for same cause can go for co-operative movements, this will lead to win-win situation. Co-operatives can’t completely replace capitalist economy, but yes they are a much better model to be implemented. Co-operatives involves larger proportion of concerned persons having different facets of concerns and hence co-operatives will provide more sustainable growth.
Often it is seen that in any movement the changes are brought about by collective effort, but the end butter is consumed by only a few and others are left in false glory. Co-operative movement can link up with social movements in a way that the end results are distributed among all participants. This will lead to the real benefit of a social movement. Cooperative movement does provide an alternate to capitalist economy. Unlike leftist ideology, there will be drive in the members to upgrade their performance as the benefits will lead to direct upliftment of the members.
Social movements are nothing but a type of group action which is focussed on a specific issue of livelihood, opportunity, development etc. Cooperative movements, characterised by grouping of people with similar ideology to acquire mutual benefits, strengthen the people on mental and psychological level which results in advent of social movements. Cooperative movements also seem to mitigate the effect of capitalist economy in some context. It alleviates the repercussions of unfair distribution of wealth and power, economic inequality, and repression of workers.
Social movements are born when their members have identified the need to co-operate. With co-operation in place, it is easy to link them with co-operative movements by highlighting the benefits of sustaining the movement in the form of a co-operative.
Co-operatives definitely offer a radical alternative to a capitalist economy and not just a way to mitigate its effects. Capitalism is based on competition where a few benefit while co-operatives are based on co-operation where everyone benefits. Capitalism leads to inequality while co-operatives lead to equality. Co-operative economies would thus be healthier as they include more than they exclude.
Cooperative movements have the power to break the hegemony posed by capitalist systems. Their linking with social movements can increase the probability of success of the cooperative as the former emerges out of high motivation and spurt of energy. hope is a walking dream and it will remain till inequalities persist. humans are not individualistic by nature, they know they need to come together to prosper. capitalism does not give one space to grow and breathe , thus , can never be something to aspire for.
Co-operative movements started with the autonomous group of people. The members had certain objectives in their mind for the collective benefits. The co-operative movement has the benefits by reducing the transaction cost and sharing risk among larger number of members. I think co-operative cannot be said as the replacement for the capitalist economy. Both have their own advantages.
26 comments:
Social movements are nothing but collective actions guided by a similar ideology initiated by a leader to bring about social transformation. Co-operatives in the form of movements have been facilitated where the ideologies of the collective are same as the state. But if they are different it leads to repression. INC is an example of success, while the failure to legitimize state authority in case of the East European countries can be considered as an example of failure.So the success of the movement depends on how it is carried out and whether the proposed strategy is accepted or not.
Cooperative movements start when an autonomous group of people unite voluntarily to meet their common economic and social goals. People definitely are highly motivated and mobile and have high cohesion in a cooperative group which is the most obvious pre requite of a collective action. Thus it can also act as a platform for other social movements. I don’t think that cooperatives can act as alternative to capitalist economy. Both have their importance in different contexts. We need a proper mix of both types for an overall growth of economy.
Every person or system is not black or white but the shades of grey..what I mean to say is that both cooperatives and capitalists are equally important and as now we often hear of 'cooperative capitalism'. Though not radical alternative but cooperative is effective tool for grassroot mobilization and protection against capitalist exploitation.
As far as social movement is concerned cooperative movement is precursor for social movement for e.g. industrial revolution, Gandhian satyagraha for indigo farmers in Champaran or be it milk cooperatives of Gujarat.
Cooperative movement was one of the first social movement in modern times. Many social grassroot movements have turned to cooperatives because of the damage caused due to globalisation and worldwide recession to improve living conditions of people and to empower them. Many social enterprises are arising from initiative of grassroot groups and organized and backed by them to achieve peace, prosperity and social equity. Cooperatives can offer an alternative to capitalist economy as they are self- help, not charity and empowerment driven, and put people at the heart of their businesses to meet their common social, economic and cultural needs.
co-operative movements will get automatically linked to other movements if the potential of collective action is truly understood and realised.co-operatives can offer radical alternative to capitalistic economy when they are formed to acheive the bigger good like equitable distribution and not just as means of earning money. few has always dominated masses, but is not possible if masses realise their collective potential.
Most of the grassroots’ social movements have turned to cooperatives due to the ravages of globalism and to empower people for achieving their basic needs. Such cooperative movements may not have permanently achieved their deeper goals, the reason being changing society, so the social goals must be continuously renewed. But it is far superior to capitalism as cooperatives offer an alternative to the world’s hope of achieving peace, prosperity and social equity when compared to marginalized unemployment and privatization fuelled in by capitalism.
History tells us that many Social Movements have turned up into Co-operatives but the time has changed now, the movements are not focused for long term benefits but for fulfillment of a short term objective .Co-operative can mitigate the effects of capitalism but cannot offer an alternative because of the fact that there is a lack of social mobility which can give an uprising to co-operatives. Rise of individualism, lack of belief in socialism are some factors that are influencing the mobilization needed for the success of a social movement into co-operative structure.
cooperative movements can still have its impact because at the heart of every capitalist economy there lies some norms,property rights which emerge from collective action and cooperation.But we need to understand the situations where collective action can be applied.Cooperation can be used to prevent social action turning into revolution, which is the end of social movement
Social movements are consciously initiated and guided collective mobilizations to bring about relatively rapid social change. Co-operatives and movements have collective mobilization as common element but generally co-operatives are institutionalized in order to achieve continuous benefits while movements are still lacking a wholesome component of institution and it may eventually also result in relegation of mobilization. In context of capitalist economy, co-operative are of major concern as all are not having equal access to all the resources due to uneven distribution. They can be the radical alternative but in long run.
Social movements many a times ultimately lead to cooperative movements. Cooperative movements also start taking shape when masses mobilise for a common cause and social movements start. Thus it can be said that social movements give rise to cooperative movements. Cooperative movements can offer a radical alternative to capitalist economy only when they work towards the cause for which they emerged keeping in mind the good of all its members. The moment capitalist thinking starts creeping in a cooperative system, the very purpose of a cooperative goes for a toss.
Social movement means the agitation with ideology against somebody whereas the cooperative movement means collective action with ideology for the betterment to the commons. the specific goals are the key behind the social movements but cooperative movements are for egalitarianism. capitalism is the individual specific so only cooperation can be alternative for it as it will give equal opportunity to develop. Mondragon cooperative of Spain is the good example of it.
Co-operative movement can link up with other social movements whenever there is some agitation or problem regarding some issue. If many co-operative come up, then in the long run, they can even yield the power to replace the capitalist economy. These days, upcoming New generation co-operatives, are a unique combination of co-operatives managed in a corporate style.
Cooperative movements try to provide equitable benefits to the members. And linking up with a social movement will certainly give impetus to the movement. For example, if farmers are fighting for the formation of co-operative for their produce then they can link themselves with a student movement. The student movement, which has a larger reach, can raise the concerns of the farmers at a larger arena. And this ultimately will boost the farmers’ movement. Even if the cant offer a complete solution, but it can effectively mitigate some of the effects (like better price for produce after negotiation).
Cooperative movements have led to formation of such institutions that benefit all its participants. It initiates with certain common ideologies and objectives. People come together in order to achieve them. Social movements are also form of collective actions which arise when some particular goal is to be achieved. Cooperative movements at times start with social movements and cooperation from everyone leads to achieving better results. They are based on ideology of benefits for all rather than just making benefits for oneself.
Cooperative movements can offer a radical alternative to the capitalist economy and the same has been proved in places like Wales, Germany, Denmark and in the form of initiatives by Owenites, Rochadale pioneers and ones based on Raiffeisen Principles. They can link with social movements and offer an integrated solution to social and economic problems of the oppressed.
Student movement, food peasants' movement is also a kind of collective action but with high level of motivation in participation and interest in desired outcome. The same kind of motivation level is required to operate the cooperative as an organization which is indeed a radical alternative to capitalist economy. but at the same time it is the most difficult organization to operate because it difficult to maintain the same spirit among the members as that in the movements.
Co-operative movements can still prove to be a solution for distressed and marginalised peasants. Milk co-operative started as a collective by milk producers, because they find the benefits of co-operation. So can the peasants in the present condition could not get remunerative prices for their produce, could not get fertilizers and other inputs in time and at subsidised rate, they too can put efforts towards collective of co-operative. Co-operative could not be a radical alternative to capitalist economy as both of them are have their own advantage and limitations and they fit in different contexts.
Co-operative movements can still prove to be a solution for distressed and marginalised peasants. Milk co-operative started as a collective by milk producers, because they find the benefits of co-operation. So can the peasants in the present condition could not get remunerative prices for their produce, could not get fertilizers and other inputs in time and at subsidised rate, they too can put efforts towards collective of co-operative. Co-operative could not be a radical alternative to capitalist economy as both of them are have their own advantage and limitations and they fit in different contexts.
Co-operative movement in Kheda had a direct link with India’s freedom movement. The leaders like Tribhuvandas Patel who was an active participant in both the movements. This strengthened the co-operative movement by the farmers of Kheda to fight against the middlemen. In both the movements the visible thing was exploitation. The strategy like milk strike was applied there in Kheda like other movements. If the identified needs and the perceived benefits are more co-operative movement can offer a radical alternative to capitalist economy. The persistency and determination from the part of people will define the end result.
Various sections of society undergo various movements’ for different motives. These movements are carried at different places and with varying motives which gives varying results. If the different groups fighting for same cause can go for co-operative movements, this will lead to win-win situation. Co-operatives can’t completely replace capitalist economy, but yes they are a much better model to be implemented. Co-operatives involves larger proportion of concerned persons having different facets of concerns and hence co-operatives will provide more sustainable growth.
Often it is seen that in any movement the changes are brought about by collective effort, but the end butter is consumed by only a few and others are left in false glory. Co-operative movement can link up with social movements in a way that the end results are distributed among all participants. This will lead to the real benefit of a social movement.
Cooperative movement does provide an alternate to capitalist economy. Unlike leftist ideology, there will be drive in the members to upgrade their performance as the benefits will lead to direct upliftment of the members.
Social movements are nothing but a type of group action which is focussed on a specific issue of livelihood, opportunity, development etc. Cooperative movements, characterised by grouping of people with similar ideology to acquire mutual benefits, strengthen the people on mental and psychological level which results in advent of social movements. Cooperative movements also seem to mitigate the effect of capitalist economy in some context. It alleviates the repercussions of unfair distribution of wealth and power, economic inequality, and repression of workers.
Social movements are born when their members have identified the need to co-operate. With co-operation in place, it is easy to link them with co-operative movements by highlighting the benefits of sustaining the movement in the form of a co-operative.
Co-operatives definitely offer a radical alternative to a capitalist economy and not just a way to mitigate its effects. Capitalism is based on competition where a few benefit while co-operatives are based on co-operation where everyone benefits. Capitalism leads to inequality while co-operatives lead to equality. Co-operative economies would thus be healthier as they include more than they exclude.
Cooperative movements have the power to break the hegemony posed by capitalist systems. Their linking with social movements can increase the probability of success of the cooperative as the former emerges out of high motivation and spurt of energy. hope is a walking dream and it will remain till inequalities persist. humans are not individualistic by nature, they know they need to come together to prosper. capitalism does not give one space to grow and breathe , thus , can never be something to aspire for.
Co-operative movements started with the autonomous group of people. The members had certain objectives in their mind for the collective benefits. The co-operative movement has the benefits by reducing the transaction cost and sharing risk among larger number of members. I think co-operative cannot be said as the replacement for the capitalist economy. Both have their own advantages.
Post a Comment