cooperacy

Cooperacy refers to the practice and principles of cooperation, particularly in an economic or social context. It emphasizes collective action, shared ownership, and democratic governance among individuals working together towards common goals. The core idea is that by pooling resources and efforts, participants can achieve outcomes that are mutually beneficial and often more robust than individual endeavors.

This concept is closely associated with the cooperative movement, which has a long history of establishing worker cooperatives, consumer cooperatives, housing cooperatives, and credit unions. In these organizations, members typically have a say in how the entity is run, often through a one-member, one-vote system, regardless of their level of investment. Profits are frequently distributed among members based on their participation or patronage, rather than solely on capital contributions.

The principles of cooperacy often include voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training, and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community. These tenets aim to create organizations that are not only economically viable but also socially responsible and equitable. Cooperacy advocates argue that it offers an alternative to traditional capitalist models, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable economic system.