It is no coincidence that cooperatives appeared in the century of steam – technological progress also brought many new social problems. Farmers and craftsmen were unable to keep up with the rapidly developing cities and people began leaving the countryside. An important social innovation was born from this situation – the cooperative. Among its most important principles was the prioritization of people before profit.
This idea was foundational for the members of the pioneering cooperative in the English city of Rochdale. Its principles, dating from 1844, was so well set out that they are used by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) today, with small adjustments. Apart from democratic management, they also guarantee independence and tolerance of social, religious and other differences. The cooperatives’ activity was financed from members’ contributions, and a part of the profits always went to development and acquisition of equipment. Another portion of the profits went to the members themselves, but not on the basis of the size of their contribution, but depending on their engagement in the cooperative. Active involvement in the cooperative was a matter of course, and great emphasis was placed on systematic education. This system continues to be key for the successful foundation of all kinds of cooperatives around the world today.
Our part of the world did not lag behind. The Slovak Farmers’ Society, founded in 1845, became the first savings and loan cooperative in the world. Two years later, the Prague Foodstuff and Savings Society was founded in Prague. Thanks to the popularity of cooperatives, 1873 saw a legislative change, which spoke of “monetary and economic societies”. The idea of societies organized from the bottom up spread quickly and cooperatives swiftly sprung up everywhere. Cooperative efforts led to the building of the National Theatre, the Prague zoo or the chair-lift on Petřín Hill, among others.
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