ABSTRACT
The co-op movement seeks to be a structural alternative to capitalism. It seeks to develop new forms of economic ownership and management and social responsibility. This chapter demonstrates that the current, predominant politics of co-ops are incapable of realizing cooperative, progressive ideals, despite their good intentions. It contributes to the literature that examines the politics of social movements. The structural-institutional analysis of the co-op movement identifies leading organizations which shape the structure of the movement through their financial, organizational, intellectual, and political might. The chapter focuses on leading co-op associations such as the International Cooperative Alliance and the National Cooperative Business Association, as well as giant producer and consumer co-ops such as Land O'Lakes dairy co-op, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and the US Overseas Cooperative Development Council. The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) practices the same corporate-co-op politics as CHS, though on a larger scale of influence because it is an umbrella council of numerous co-ops.
