Development of World Co-operative Movement

Development of World Co-operative Movement

• The co-operative movement originated in England with Robert Owen being recognized as the "Father of the Co-operative movement".
• The first consumer co-operative store in England was established in 1844 by 28 weavers with a starting capital of 28 pounds.
• The consumer co-operative movement in England included efforts to provide alternatives to capitalism, with Rochdale stores being a primary example.
• Schulze and Raiffeisen established credit co-operative societies in Germany in the 19th century to assist farmers struggling with poverty and drought caused by moneylenders.
• Schulze, a German politician and economist, founded the world’s first credit union in Germany.
• Raiffeisen, a German mayor and co-operative pioneer, founded the first co-operative lending bank in Germany.
• The dairy co-operative movement in Denmark was encouraged by the country's agricultural focus and need to compete with American agricultural products.
• Danish dairy co-operatives established primary milk producers' societies at a local level, which collected and processed milk, while encouraging education and training for members.
• The agricultural co-operative movement in Israel developed after the country's independence in 1948.
• Israeli farmers were encouraged to pursue co-operative farming due to the government’s ownership of land and limited resources.
• Three primary types of agricultural co-operatives emerged in Israel:
  • Kibbutzim: Villages with a population of 200 to 2000 members, who work together on co-operative farming and share resources.
  • Moshavim: Communal villages where individuals farm privately, but market and buy products collectively.
  • Communal Moshav: Societies that offer both agricultural and non-agricultural employment opportunities.

Consumer Co-operative Movement in England

• The Rochdale Principles provided a framework for consumer co-operatives, including open membership, democratic control, and the distribution of profits to members.
• Co-operative Wholesale Societies (CWS) were formed to provide wholesale services to retail co-operatives, increasing their bargaining power.
• Agricultural co-operation also emerged in England as farmers formed societies to collectively purchase supplies, market their products, and improve productivity.

Credit Co-operative Movement in Germany

• The credit co-operative movement in Germany addressed the need for affordable credit for farmers and other rural communities.
• Schulze-Delitzsch banks were founded to provide loans and financial services to members, while Raiffeisen societies emphasized serving primarily rural communities.
• Germany’s credit co-operative movement faced challenges during World War I, but continued to develop and expand after the war.

Dairy Co-operative Movement in Denmark

• Dairy co-operatives in Denmark provided economic security for farmers by improving milk production and marketing, helping to establish a strong dairy industry.
• Members of Danish dairy co-operatives were required to enter into contracts with the societies for a period of 15 to 20 years and sell milk solely to the co-operative.

Agricultural Co-operative Movement in Israel

• The Kibbutzim focused on communal living and equal distribution of resources, while Moshavim allowed for more individual farming practices.
• Israeli agricultural co-operatives were successful in adopting new technologies and promoting agricultural innovation.
• Regional organizations emerged to provide services for agricultural co-operatives, including procurement, processing, and marketing.
• "Tunwa", formed in 1926, is a prominent example of a regional organization supporting agricultural co-operatives in Israel.

Explore the origins and evolution of the co-operative movement, starting with Robert Owen in England. Learn how consumers and farmers banded together to create co-operative societies in response to economic challenges in the 19th century. This quiz details the significance of early co-operatives in England, Germany, and Denmark.