ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the extent that the cooperative legislation. It also examines the definition of cooperatives and the issue of demutualization. The chapter focuses on democratic governance, including the open door principle, together with voting and governance arrangements. It discusses economic development, including access to capital, networks and flexible management arrangements. The chapter also discusses supervisory and oversight functions. It provides some information on the effectiveness of the law in promoting cooperative growth, innovation, and resilience. Cooperatives can choose between three governance models through which members can exercise their democratic rights and govern their cooperative. These include the tripartite, the monistic and the dualistic models. The cooperative law allows cooperatives to use a variety of legal entities to promote their development and new cooperatives. These entities include consortia and holding companies. They also provide the opportunity to invest and own private enterprises, joint groups of companies, worker buy-outs, social cooperatives and small cooperatives.
