3 ms·
> Co-ops are just the same as guilds, oligopolies, etc Um... no? The point of a coop is to make money, just like a joint-stack corporation. In fact, a co-op is
by tathougies 9y ago
> Co-ops are just the same as guilds, oligopolies, etc
Um... no? The point of a coop is to make money, just like a joint-stack corporation. In fact, a co-op is a joint stock corporation where the owners are also workers.
> They are (usually government-sanctioned or government-protected) producer organizations
Coops have no government protection, at least no more than mega corporations. Recall that it was GM who was determined to be 'too big to fail', not Mondragon.
- ucaetano 9y agoThey do frequently have government protection, especially in Italy, but in many other countries. Protection comes in many forms, such as special tax structures, protected denominations and excessive regulation.
- tathougies 9y agoI have no idea what italy does. However, special tax structures, protected denominations, and excessive regulation are basically par-for-the-course for corporations in any country. In America, it is routine for large companies to negotiate tax deals with local governments. Many American companies pay no local tax at all. Local authorities do this as a 'gift' to make companies stay. It's wrong everywhere, but it has nothing to do with co-ops.