Book club
'The Co-operative Revolution' by Polyp20 November 2012
Adam Bradbury and Annabella Macris, from Friends of the Earth's Publishing Team, explain why the cooperative movement could offer a business model for a greener economy.
The Cooperative Revolution follows the rise of the cooperative movement - from tiny beginnings in 1840s Rochdale to today's global network. Published on behalf of The Cooperative Group, the format is a mix of wonderfully atmospheric pictures and elegant old-fashioned prose.
Apart from the storytelling, it's peppered with nuggets that will make you the toast of the water cooler (do you still have one of those?). For example, did you know...
• More people are employed by co-operatives worldwide than by multi-nationals?
• Co-operative systems are common in nature, and are a successful survival strategy?
• All animals with nucleated cells, including you and I, are living co-ops of different organisms?
And that's the theme of The Cooperative Revolution - the idea that cooperating is as much a part of our make-up as competition. It makes sense - especially when you think about this finite planet of ours.
Why have we picked this book for Friends of the Earth's Book Club?
It's not exactly a secret that most economies are going through a convulsion - old business models aren't delivering jobs, stability or prosperity for billions of people.
And the costs to environment of the way economies operate are increasingly clear.
So we're interested in what alternative models - cooperation, for example - have to offer. The Cooperative Group's approach to getting the story out is intriguing and timely.
An alternative model?
Polyp, author and illustrator of The Cooperative Revolution, along with Laura Vickery from the Co-operative Group, led a lively discussion with Friends of the Earth staff and volunteers recently.
The book starts its narrative with the radical roots of the co-operative movement in 19th century Rochdale. Few of us popping into our local Co-op for a tin of beans would suspect it started as a revolutionary movement against a backdrop of social upheaval and oppression. Since then, it has evolved into a globally successful, and much adopted, economic model.
So what exactly differentiates the co-operative model from current neo-liberal capitalism? Basically the principles behind all co-operatives are:
- One member one vote.
- Free and open membership to all.
- Fair division of profits.
This means that members control the capital, not the other way around. Your Co-op card is not just a regular shop loyalty card - it actually gives you an equal say in the running of the business.
A working solution
It is interesting that co-operation is not a party-led movement. It is simply a non-exploitative means for people to stand on their own feet. Laura Vickery was keen that we regard co-operatives as a possible model for mainstream adoption, rather than a quirky alternative. And yes, co-operatives could just be one of the elusive answers to our economic crisis.
Read the reviews
Free P&P
Quote code BOOKCLUB to buy The Cooperative Revolution for just £5.99 with free P&P in Friends of the Earth Shop.
Join the discussion
Is the cooperative model a sustainable alternative to our economic woes? Tell us what you think.
