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From: orb@whuxl.UUCP (SEVENER)
Newsgroups: net.politics.theory
Subject: Capitalist vs Cooperative Organizations
Message-ID: <556@whuxl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 27-Mar-85 10:22:47 EST
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Posted: Wed Mar 27 10:22:47 1985
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>   From Michael Esco:
> > From me (tim sevener): 
> > Of course there is nothing to say this organization has to be
> > either inspired ,motivated or organized in a capitalistic fashion.
> 
> No, but can you name an organization as effective as capitalism?
 
Yes, I certainly can: Cooperative enterprises owned and operated by
either the workers or consumers who join them.  I have been in several
food coops and these were very successful in providing cheaper food
of a higher quality than the typical grocery store or health-food store.
Policies were determined by all the members and not just some manager or
absentee owner.  Having such a democratic process led to controversy
at times: but better controversy because everyone has a voice than
silence imposed by decisions from above.
 
To my great dismay since moving to New Jersey I find that there are no such
organizations here.  Which has meant higher grocery bills and the sheer
unavailability of foods I desire.  It has also meant the cutoff of the
very pleasant social interaction I have found working with other people
to keep a Coop running.
 
I have been interested for some time in studying the success/failure rate
of Coops vs most other small businesses.  I know that most small businesses
have a failure rate of 85%- I cannot be sure, but I would imagine that
Coops have a *much* lower failure rate. The reason is simple: like most
things getting more people involved lends stability to the organization.
By pooling resources and labor people in Coops can accomplish more than
the isolated individual small business-person.
Moreover people are much more willing to participate in an organization
which they operate themselves.  Isn't this what democracy is all about?
 
Cooperative enterprises combine the benefits of both the market and
a communitarian ethic:  while they are not monopolies, they do provide
participation and democratic control for their members.
Eventually such a method of organization could transform the current
style of dictatorial, top-down, bureaucratic control of economic
enterprises.
                   tim sevener   whuxl!orb