Winter 2024 issue of the Journal available online

As readers of the Journal of Co-operatives Studies know, much has been written about co-operatives by co-operators and for co-operators. Co-operative principles and values, governance, regulation, models, and case studies all explore the rich ecosystem of co-operative organisations. Moreover, there are sustained and thoughtful debates exploring the intersections between co-operatives and contemporary topics such as social justice, decent work, housing, sustainable development goals (SDGs), the social solidarity economy, resilience, and climate justice.  

Outside of this ecosystem, co-operatives and mutuals can suffer from invisibility. People might be familiar with ‘The Co-op’ as a brand on the UK high street (or main street), but they might not know anything about co-operative principles and values. Similarly, building society members might not necessarily understand the idea of mutuality. 

If someone wanted to learn more about co-operatives and asked for a recommendation, whereshould they start? As Ian Adderley discovered when he was asked that question, there is so much in-depth research to choose from that a simple recommendation can quickly become a substantial reading list, when what is actually needed is a resource that could introduce people to co-operatives, spark their interest, and encourage them to engage further with the world of  co‑operatives. 

This conundrum led Adderley to write a useful primer on all things co-operative. In reponse to this, the  winter issue  presents a series of seven extracts from his forthcoming publication, Co-operatives: Linking practice and theory.