Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), 21-25

Consumer co-operative societies: Why should people participate?

R. Johnston Birchall

Journal of Co-operative Studies 55(1), pp. 21-25

Orginally published in Society for Co-operative Studies Bulletin 51, August 1984, 50-56.

https://doi.org/10.61869/YPAI8960

How to cite this paper: Birchall, R.J. (2022).  nsumer co-operative societies: Why should people participate? Journal of Co-operative Studies, 55(1), 21-25. https://doi.org/10.61869/YPAI8960 (Original work published 1884).

Abstract

If the co-operative’s main aim is to stay in business, then all it needs to ensure survival is a board of directors and a quorum at an annual shareholders’ meeting, or failing this, a change of rules and a smooth transition to management control and a workers’ co-operative. A large membership might bring customer loyalty, but there are other ways of producing the same effect. This is in marked contrast to the unions and Labour Party, which would collapse without a much higher level of participation. Of course, the co-operative’s ends also include consumer control, for which participation on the board and at general meetings are necessary but not sufficient conditions: an informed membership, a board responsive to their wishes, and a management competent to carry these out, are also needed. This paper considers the consequences of membership decline in co-operative societies, and whether are they important and asks the question why should people participate in them?