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I am aware that many working co-op’s were formed before the industrial revolution, when Flour was still grounded down by water mills ect, and farm workers would co-oprativerly contribute flour, which mills would grind and Bakers would Bake to produce food with, so they all worked together to benifit from their co-opritve efforts.
this was indeed the main way of working before the industrial revolution and capitalism!
Then those with wealth and/or a sense of superiority used the power of the stock market to control and dominate others.
The more formalised co-operative movements formed subsequently (by the Rochdale Pioneers) were (and still are) intended to curb the excesses of the market and provide entertainment and even education to their members – whilst still trading in and providing good quality products and resources for their members.
This they still do today very admirably.
Although the East of England co-op say their main driver is ethical principles and they don’t compete on price and stock range, the village co-op at my work (and the other shop below the flat I used to live in when I lived in Ipswich) can often compete well enough with Tescos, Asda and other supermarkets, you can get everything you want to feed yourself or your family for much the same prices..
