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Membership, ownership, and control in a cooperative

In a traditional corporation, voting power belongs to shareholders according to how many shares of stock they own, whether or not they ever use the company's products. In a cooperative, whether owned by farmers, workers, or grocery shoppers, membership connects ownership, participation, and democratic control, typically giving each member a single vote regardless of capital invested.

3–5 min

Questions you could explore

  • How might member control shape a business decision?
  • How might members' interests differ from those of outside investors?

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