Cooperatives in the Global Economy is a much-needed series of essays that demonstrate the concrete realities of cooperative economics across the globe. After a foundational chapter on the meaning of cooperative enterprise and its distinction among the endless models and forms of economic activity, the rest of the book essentially looks at geographic profiles. Readers learn about the thriving cooperative movement in Tanzania, India, Philippines, Argentina, South Africa, Armenia, ‘Post-Yugoslav Space’ and others. Some of the chapter contributions are historical and qualitative, while others implement fresh quantitative research on a particular aspect of cooperative economics. Subtopics include areas like public policy, the relationship of cooperative enterprise to state, capital and global markets, financial inclusion, rural development, poverty and poverty reduction, agriculture, management, social integration and responsibility, and others.
As Tapas Dash (the editor) summarizes:
. . . a significant position has been assigned to cooperatives through the tasks of alleviating poverty, creating employment opportunities, and improving the socioeconomic standards of people in general and the disadvantaged section of the society in particular. The nonexploitative character of cooperatives, voluntary nature of their membership, democratically controlled organization, decentralized decision-making process, equitable contribution to capital, and a fair share of risks and benefits dignify them as agents for socioeconomic development. (p. 1)
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