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Co-operatives are Community Enterprises
Co-operatives keep economic benefit within a community. Profit is not siphoned off by outside interests, because the co-operative’s members are its owners, and the co-operative exists to fill a need in a community that is not being met by other businesses. Different types of co-operatives do this in differing ways
Co-operatives keep economic benefit within a community. Profit is not siphoned off by outside interests, because the co-operative’s members are its owners, and the co-operative exists to fill a need in a community that is not being met by other businesses. Different types of co-operatives do this in differing ways
Co-operatives Build Open Markets
As more and more governments divest state-owned enterprises, there is a danger that these monopolies may be moved in tact into private hands. Co-operatives help avoid this pitfall by ensuring wide participation by the users of the former state service. Co-operatives spread economic power and encourage competition. They provide market leverage to small producers victimised by powerful cartels or sole-source companies. They undercut middlemen and moneylenders, whose charges are often exorbitant. By ploughing profits back into the business, co-operatives can operate on narrower margins. Thus they help drive down unfair prices, and set a competitive range of goods and services.
As more and more governments divest state-owned enterprises, there is a danger that these monopolies may be moved in tact into private hands. Co-operatives help avoid this pitfall by ensuring wide participation by the users of the former state service. Co-operatives spread economic power and encourage competition. They provide market leverage to small producers victimised by powerful cartels or sole-source companies. They undercut middlemen and moneylenders, whose charges are often exorbitant. By ploughing profits back into the business, co-operatives can operate on narrower margins. Thus they help drive down unfair prices, and set a competitive range of goods and services.
Co-operatives are Systems for Development
Co-operatives draw community businesses into regional and national networks. Local co-operatives benefit from larger business volume, operating efficiencies and professional management. The economic pyramid enables farmers to purchase supplies at volume discounts, and receive profits from value added processing and consumer sales. Credit unions pool their resources, and are able to transfer surplus savings to credit unions in low-income areas. Electric co-operatives join together to buy power at a lower cost. They become an engine for development, spurring the growth of enterprises not possible without reliable energy. Co-operative insurance companies are tied into a worldwide reinsurance network to protect against catastrophic losses. They pool groups of individuals not served by commercial companies to guard against personal and business risks.
Co-operatives draw community businesses into regional and national networks. Local co-operatives benefit from larger business volume, operating efficiencies and professional management. The economic pyramid enables farmers to purchase supplies at volume discounts, and receive profits from value added processing and consumer sales. Credit unions pool their resources, and are able to transfer surplus savings to credit unions in low-income areas. Electric co-operatives join together to buy power at a lower cost. They become an engine for development, spurring the growth of enterprises not possible without reliable energy. Co-operative insurance companies are tied into a worldwide reinsurance network to protect against catastrophic losses. They pool groups of individuals not served by commercial companies to guard against personal and business risks.