Cooperation: A Political, Economic, and Social Theory

Cooperation democracy is a form of liberal democracy that harnesses the practices and values of cooperatives to address pressing problems such as climate change. It is based on self-determination, democratic participation, equity, solidarity, and respect for the environment and is developed by Bernard E. Harcourt. Cooperation provides a positive vision for addressing our most urgent challenges today and can ensure equitable distribution of wealth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Liberal democracy faces a global crisis, unable to adequately address pressing issues like climate change. However, there exists an alternative path: cooperation democracy. This approach encompasses a wide range of cooperative initiatives, from consumer cooperatives and credit unions to worker cooperatives, insurance mutuals, and nonprofit organizations. These forms of cooperation demonstrate that people can extend the principles of participatory democracy and sustainability into every aspect of their lives. They operate outside the realm of electoral politics, harnessing the longstanding practices and values of cooperatives, such as self-determination, democratic participation, equity, solidarity, and respect for the environment.

In his groundbreaking work, Bernard E. Harcourt develops a transformative theory and practice that builds on worldwide models of successful cooperation. He identifies the most promising forms of cooperative initiatives and distills their lessons into an integrated framework: Coöperism. This political theory is grounded in the recognition of our interdependence, serving as a foundation for an economic theory that can ensure equitable distribution of wealth. Moreover, it is a social theory that replaces the punishment paradigm with a cooperation paradigm, fostering a more harmonious and inclusive society.

Cooperation is a creative work of normative critical theory that offers a positive vision for addressing our most urgent challenges today. Harcourt demonstrates that by drawing on the core values of cooperation and the power of people working together, a new world of cooperation democracy is within our grasp. By embracing cooperation, we can create a more sustainable, equitable, and just world for all.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231209540