Part 129. Support cooperatives (1)

I am of the opinion that Christians should support cooperatives and I intend to explain why in this and future posts.  Cooperatives exist in a number of settings  so it may be helpful to start with a definition. The International Cooperative Aliance (ICA) defines a cooperative as:

an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. 

The ICA states cooperatives values are based on values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness  social responsibility and caring for others.

The ICA states cooperatives are open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender,  social, racial or religious discrimination.

All sentiments to be applauded, but are they descriptions of the reality? Probably not.