ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the extent to which cooperatives have achieved economic performance while operating in alignment with cooperative principles. It describes the four themes: mutuality, democracy, cooperation and community and each theme describes the cooperative principle or principles that apply. The chapter discusses how the cooperative law, Central Associations and cooperative practices address them. It identifies the issues and problems and suggests ways to further promote economic development in alignment with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) cooperative principles. The concept of mutuality is a core principle of cooperation. It affirms that people cooperate to solve problems or to get a benefit that they were not able to obtain on their own. Democratic governance is the decision-making framework through which members elect the board, keep it and management accountable and participate in key decisions to ensure the cooperative achieves economic performance in compliance with the law, mutual goals and community expectations.
