ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews various key factors that have defined cooperation in Italy to provide a better understanding of cooperative identity. It focuses on the sector as a broad-based, inter-classist, inter-sectoral movement and considers whether this has changed. The chapter describes the relationship between politics and cooperative legitimacy. It discusses how the development of large cooperatives and holding companies have impacted on democratic management. The chapter also focuses on three key areas that have defined cooperatives in Italy: equality, good citizenship and jobs for all. It explores how a united cooperative sector is dealing with the identity question today, namely the development of a new vision for society and cooperative's role within it. The chapter also discusses that some of the matters—;;such as the broad-based pluralist model, relationships with politics, the development of large cooperatives and good citizenships—;;apply to all parts of the political movement.
