ABSTRACT
The social and economic order in the Arab village, hallowed by a tradition of generations, was, and for the most part is, immune to all change. During the period of the Mandatory administration the persistent attempts to introduce the elements of co-operative organization fell on stony ground, and later the efforts of the Israel Government in the same direction have been equally unfruitful. The workers’ agricultural co-operative movement constitutes a distinctive section of the co-operative movement in Israel, because of its characteristic structure and objectives. Both in form of organization and objectives the workers’ agricultural co-operatives in Israel differ from similar groups in other countries. Comparisons are frequently made between agricultural co-operative settlement in Israel and the planned development of the agricultural economy in the Soviet Union. The ‘moshav’ endeavours to maintain complete identity between co-operative organization and municipal organization, and all decisions taken in regard to rights or duties of members are equally applicable in both spheres.
