COOPERATIVE FEDERATION

A 'Co-operative Federation' is a Co-operative society in which all members are, in turn, co-operatives. Historically, these have predominantly come in the form of Co-operative Wholesale Societies, and Co-operative Unions.^[1] Co-operative Federations are a means through which Co-operative Societies can fulfill the sixth Rochdale Principle, Co-operation amongst Co-operatives, with the ICA noting that "Co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures."^[2]

Contents

Forms of Co-operative federations

Co-operative Wholesale Society

Co-operative Union

Co-operative Party

References

See also

Forms of Co-operative federations

Co-operative Wholesale Society

According to Co-operative economist Charles Gide, the aim of a co-operative wholesale society is to arrange “bulk purchases, and, if possible, organise production.”^[3] The best historical example of this were the English CWS and the Scottish CWS, which were the forerunners to the modern Co-operative Group.

Co-operative Union

A second common form of Co-operative Federation is a co-operative union, whose objective (according to Gide) is “to develop the spirit of solidarity among societies and... in a word, to exercise the functions of a government whose authority , it is needless to say, is purely moral.”^[1] Co-operatives UK and the International Co-operative Alliance are examples of such arrangements.

Co-operative Party

In some countries with a strong Co-operative sector, such as the UK, Co-operatives may find it advantageous to form a Parliamentary Political party to represent their interests. The British Co-operative Party is an example of such an arrangement.

References

1. Gide, Charles; as translated from French by the Co-operative Reference Library, Dublin, "Consumers' Co-Operative Societies", Manchester: The Co-Operative Union Limited, 1921, p. 122
2. http://www.ica.coop/coop/principles.html
3. Gide, Charles; as translated from French by the Co-operative Reference Library, Dublin, "Consumers' Co-Operative Societies", Manchester: The Co-Operative Union Limited, 1921, p. 122
4. Gide, Charles; as translated from French by the Co-operative Reference Library, Dublin, "Consumers' Co-Operative Societies", Manchester: The Co-Operative Union Limited, 1921, p. 122

See also

★ List of Co-operative Federations