Cooperativismo vs. Cooperativismo de Autogestión

Attribute	Cooperativismo	Cooperativismo de Autogestión
Ownership	Owned by members	Owned and managed by workers
Decision-making	Democratic decision-making by members	Worker self-management in decision-making
Profit distribution	Shared among members based on participation	Shared among workers based on contribution
Goals	Focus on member benefits and community development	Focus on worker empowerment and autonomy

Definition

Cooperativismo and Cooperativismo de Autogestión are both forms of cooperative organization, where individuals come together to achieve common goals. Cooperativismo is a more traditional form of cooperative where members pool their resources and share in the decision-making process. Cooperativismo de Autogestión, on the other hand, emphasizes self-management and autonomy within the cooperative structure.

Ownership and Control

In Cooperativismo, ownership and control are typically shared among all members of the cooperative. Decisions are made collectively, with each member having an equal say in the direction of the cooperative. In contrast, Cooperativismo de Autogestión places a greater emphasis on individual autonomy and self-management. Members have more control over their own work and decisions within the cooperative, allowing for greater flexibility and innovation.

Goals and Objectives

Both forms of cooperative organization share the goal of promoting economic democracy and empowering individuals within the community. However, Cooperativismo tends to focus more on collective ownership and solidarity among members. Cooperativismo de Autogestión, on the other hand, places a greater emphasis on individual empowerment and self-management, allowing members to take more control over their own work and decisions.

Decision-Making Process

In Cooperativismo, decisions are typically made through a democratic process, with all members having an equal say in the direction of the cooperative. This can lead to slower decision-making processes but ensures that all members have a voice in the cooperative's operations. In Cooperativismo de Autogestión, decision-making is more decentralized, with individual members having more autonomy over their own work and decisions. This can lead to faster decision-making processes but may also result in less consensus among members.

Benefits and Challenges

Both forms of cooperative organization offer unique benefits and challenges. Cooperativismo promotes solidarity and collective ownership, allowing members to share resources and support each other in achieving common goals. However, this can also lead to slower decision-making processes and potential conflicts among members. Cooperativismo de Autogestión, on the other hand, promotes individual autonomy and self-management, allowing members to take more control over their own work and decisions. This can lead to greater innovation and flexibility but may also result in less cohesion among members.

Conclusion

Overall, both Cooperativismo and Cooperativismo de Autogestión offer valuable models for cooperative organization. While Cooperativismo emphasizes collective ownership and solidarity among members, Cooperativismo de Autogestión places a greater emphasis on individual autonomy and self-management. Each form of cooperative organization has its own unique benefits and challenges, and the choice between the two will depend on the specific goals and values of the cooperative members.