
About the book
What are co-operatives, and why do they exist? What’s the difference between a co-operative and an investor-owned firm, or between a co-operative and social enterprise? Do co-operatives work, and are they political?
Policy makers, researchers, academics and practitioners looking to expand their understanding of co-operative forms and structures, and the broader co-operative movement, will find answers to these questions and more.
The structure and content of the book includes introductory overviews to:
Introductory overview | Technical section | Co-operative thinking |
A short history
Co-operatives today Co-operatives in context | Co-operative governance and structures
Co-operative law Co-operative finance Co-operative economics | Co-operative ideology
Co-operative politics and religion Co-operative education Co-operatives and social responsibility |
You can read extracts from Ian’s book in the Winter 2024 issue of the Journal
Published by Co-operative Press & UKSCS. Print copies are available in bookshops.
You can also buy direct from the distributor, IngramSpark:
Buy Co-operatives: Linking practice and theory in paperback (£24.99)
Buy Co-operatives: Linking practice and theory in hardback (£45)
Any profits due to the author from the sale of the books will instead go directly to UKSCS.
SEE BELOW: You can also download a digital copy available both as a PDF and an EPub file - see below. While copies are free to download, you can also make a donation to UKSCS.

While standing in the Rochdale Pioneers Museum in Toad Lane in Rochdale, I was asked by a civil servant whether there was a book I could recommend, giving an overview of co-operatives. I thought of over a dozen great books about co-operatives that I’ve enjoyed reading and shared this list with them. My first hope was that I had overlooked an available resource that would give them what I thought they wanted. After spending some time looking around, and asking those that I knew, the conclusion I reached several months later was that I may need to write this book. The aim of the book is not to set out anything new, but to synthesise what is already there. The references will signpost you to those who know more about specific topics.
About the author
Ian Adderley, a Chartered Secretary and Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute, was called to the Bar in England and Wales in 2010 and has worked for the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority in their role as the registering authority for mutual societies for over a decade. He is on the board of IUS Cooperativum, trustee and Vice Chair of the Co-operative Heritage Trust, and a trustee of the UK Society for Co-operative Studies – which he chaired for five years. Before this, Ian was an elected member within co-operative societies, including as a member of a local area committee for a retail consumer co-operative. He worked for the regional bodies supporting co-operatives and social enterprises in Yorkshire and the Humber, and was previously employed as a national officer at the UK’s largest public sector trade union. He writes in a personal capacity, with views expressed not necessarily reflective of any of the organisations mentioned here.
“Co-operatives: Linking practice and theory contributes to the Society’s charitable aims by offering an accessible introduction to co-operatives in sections that explore principles and context, technical aspects, and co-operative philosophy. The book acts both as a portrait of co-operatives in all their variety and a synthesis of research knowledge and practical expertise. It will be a valuable resource for everyone who wants to learn more about the co-operative advantage.”
Dr Anita Mangan, Editor, Journal of Co-operative Studies
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