The International Co-operative Alliance and the consumer co-operative movement in northern Europe, c. 1860-1939
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, Foreign Legal Systems
| Author: | Mary Hilson | ISBN: | 9781526127341 |
| Publisher: | Manchester University Press | Publication: | June 1, 2018 |
| Imprint: | Manchester University Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Mary Hilson |
| ISBN: | 9781526127341 |
| Publisher: | Manchester University Press |
| Publication: | June 1, 2018 |
| Imprint: | Manchester University Press |
| Language: | English |
The book examines the history of co-operation in the broad context of the history of consumerism and consumption; of internationalism and the development of international organisations; and debates about international trade during the inter-war period. The fundamental question explored in the book concerns the meaning of co-operation. Was it a social movement or an economic enterprise? Did it aspire to challenge capitalism or to reform it? Did it contain at its heart a political vision for the transformation of society or was it simply a practical guide for organising a business? Hilson argues that it was both, but that an examination of the debates over the different meanings of co-operation can also illuminate broader questions about the emergence of consumer interests in the first half of the twentieth century, especially in a transnational context.
The book examines the history of co-operation in the broad context of the history of consumerism and consumption; of internationalism and the development of international organisations; and debates about international trade during the inter-war period. The fundamental question explored in the book concerns the meaning of co-operation. Was it a social movement or an economic enterprise? Did it aspire to challenge capitalism or to reform it? Did it contain at its heart a political vision for the transformation of society or was it simply a practical guide for organising a business? Hilson argues that it was both, but that an examination of the debates over the different meanings of co-operation can also illuminate broader questions about the emergence of consumer interests in the first half of the twentieth century, especially in a transnational context.
