Cooperative

A cooperative (also known as co-operative, co-op, or coop) is defined by the ICA "an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise" and are a subject of great interest to libertarian socialists. They are an excellent way to provide high paying jobs, low-cost housing and low-cost consumer goods to people under a capitalist economy while also showing people the viability of a socialist economy.

Types of Cooperatives

Worker Cooperative

A worker cooperative is a business which employs self-management in the workplace to produce goods or provide services. Workers own the business and are paid either equally based on the workplaces profits and management of the business is either done in workers' assemblies or via elected managers.

Housing Cooperative

A housing cooperative is a cooperative that owns real estate and/or buildings, thus allowing tenants to manage a large building without the existence of a landlord (thus reducing rents and increasing the quality of housing).

Consumer Cooperative

A consumer cooperative is a cooperative that provides people with access to consumer goods and services like electricity, water, clothing, food, tools and machinery.

Financial Cooperative

A financial cooperative is a cooperative that provides insurance, low-interest loans, savings and other financial services to people.