Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface. Politics and Politics
Introduction. Cooptation and Corruption in Social Movements
Chapter 1. Capitalist politics of Cooperation and Co-ops
Chapter 2. Populist Politics of Cooperation and Co-ops
Chapter 3. Toward A Socialist Politics of Cooperation and Co-ops
References
Index
Reviews
“The current co-op movement in the U.S. seeks to be a structural alternative to capitalism; this book seriously questions whether the current movement can accomplish that task. Carl Ratner offers up a rich and unique political analysis and critique that provides helpful insights into the practice and problems of the contemporary cooperative movement. Noting that cooperators tend to view their work as apolitical because the explicit influence of national political parties is absent, the author constructs a compelling argument that cooperators nonetheless operate unwittingly with implicit political conceptions of freedom, opportunity, human rights, social participation, decision-making, power, and governance that are shaped and limited by the capitalist economic system. Ratner demonstrates how a more radical, anti-capitalist, socialist form of cooperation and co-ops are needed to realize the fulfilling potential of cooperation and co-ops. For those wishing to understand and advance the cooperative movement, this book is essential reading.” – <strong>Peter Feigenbaum, Ph.D. Director of Institutional Research Fordham University</strong>