{"id":4284,"date":"2017-02-14T10:13:13","date_gmt":"2017-02-14T09:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/blog\/?p=4284"},"modified":"2017-02-14T10:13:13","modified_gmt":"2017-02-14T09:13:13","slug":"cooperatives-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polyas.de\/blog\/en\/electoral-research\/cooperatives-basics","title":{"rendered":"What you need to know about Cooperatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

In our first blog series on cooperatives, we will introduce you to what they are and the different forms they take. Read on to learn more.<\/p>\n

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A cooperative (also known as co-operative or co-op) is a business that is owned by its members. These members can be normal people, other cooperatives, or workers who have a vested interest in the cooperative and how it is run.<\/p>\n


\nWhy Cooperate?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Historically, cooperatives emerged to allow people to gain access to goods or services that would be otherwise out of the ordinary person or business’ reach. Cooperative insurances in the US emerged in the late 18th century offering collective fire insurance. Similarly, credit unions emerged in the early 1900s to provide ordinary people with access to banking and finance.<\/p>\n

The general idea is to achieve economies of scale, bulk purchasing to lower prices, sharing the costs of new technology or providing credit under competitive but fair terms. Cooperative members band together to achieve greater bargaining powers, which grants them access to new markets, technologies and greater efficiency. Cooperatives elect their leadership. This is aimed at ensuring that the business continues to act in the best interest of its membership.<\/p>\n

Different types of cooperatives<\/strong><\/h3>\n