If a conceptual history of worker co-ops and how we were influenced by New Left/Blairism and thinking and Social Enterprise. This is the research for you.
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Quite a lot of errors in my opinion. Both in the beginning and end of ICOM. Even the origin of the name is incorrect. His central thesis of capture by neo liberal ideology is not my experience. Its way too simplistic. And why did he not talk to more people who were actually involved? Instead of relying on archives. Fairly typical academic treatment. Seen a lot like this. They have an idea and make the evidence fit it.
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Interesting.
Do you think its worth contacting them and letting them know, or not worth the energy?
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‘Conceptual history’ indeed! I don’t think ‘we’ were especially influenced by social enterprise/Big Society ideology, although obviously some worker coops ID-ed as such to follow the money and sources of state-charitable support. The latest ideological draw is ‘community’ and ‘place-based’ business focused on ‘wealth building’ but workers’ control with more or less wider political accountability is still at the heart of most worker co-ops. I think you have to go further back to understand both our roots and unique potential contribution to a political and class-based movement for social change. Check this out: Worker cooperation in the UK - a political history - workers.coop
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Ooh interesting stuff. thanks for linking the article.
£64quid paperback.. pretty academic pricing. I suppose it could be tax deductible.
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