The Co-operative Movement and Communities in Britain, 1914-1960
The Co-operative Movement and Communities in Britain, 1914-1960

Author: Nicole Robertson

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-03-23

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1317037235

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The co-operative movement has played a notable role in the retail, wholesale, productive, political, educational and cultural life of Britain. As a movement it has consciously represented consumer interests and has carried out work in the arena of consumer protection. However, its study has suffered relative neglect when compared to research into the Labour Party, trade unions and the wider politics of retail and consumption. This book reassesses the impact of the co-operative movement on various communities in Britain during the period 1914-1960, providing a comprehensive account of the grass roots influence of co-operatives during both war and peace. This is a national study with a local dimension. It considers how national directives and perspectives were locally applied, if indeed they were applicable within the context of individual societies. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the co-operative movement by examining various societies in England, Scotland and Wales. Particular attention is paid to the midlands, due to the movement's expansion here during the interwar period, with consideration also given to comparative developments in Europe. The author explores: the movement's relationship with other labour organizations; its cultural and social aspects (including the role sport played in co-operative societies); the politicization of the movement and local response to the formation of the Co-operative Party; the education of co-operators; what co-operative membership entailed and how co-operative ideology was expressed; the economic impact membership could have on families (including the provision of financial assistance and credit); and the co-operative movement's development alongside consumer activism. The book is a major national study of the growth of Co-operation during this crucial period of British social, economic and consumer history. Given the few modern scholarly works on Co-operation, it is a timely and much needed reassessment.

History of The United Co-Operative Baking Society Ltd. : A Fifty Years' Record 1869–1919
History of The United Co-Operative Baking Society Ltd. : A Fifty Years' Record 1869–1919

Author: William Reid

Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan

Published: 2024-08-31

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13:

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Step into the rich history of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd. with William Reid's "History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd.: A Fifty Years' Record 1869–1919." Discover a compelling narrative that chronicles half a century of innovation, community impact, and the evolution of cooperative baking in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Join Reid as he meticulously traces the society's journey from its humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone of the baking industry. Through detailed accounts and insightful analysis, Reid illuminates the challenges, triumphs, and pivotal moments that shaped the cooperative's growth and influence. Throughout the historical record, themes of cooperation, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment unfold. Reid explores how the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd. navigated economic shifts, technological advancements, and societal changes while remaining steadfast in its commitment to serving its members and customers. Reid's thorough documentation and archival research bring to life the visionary leaders, dedicated workers, and loyal patrons who contributed to the society's success. From innovative baking techniques to community outreach initiatives, each chapter reflects the cooperative spirit and dedication to excellence. Since its publication, "History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd." has been praised for its historical significance and its contribution to understanding the cooperative movement. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the intersection of business, community development, and social responsibility. Whether you're a business professional studying cooperative models, a historian exploring industrial evolution, or simply curious about the impact of cooperatives on local economies, "History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd." promises to inform and inspire. Dive into this insightful record and uncover a legacy of resilience, innovation, and community service. Don't miss your opportunity to explore the enduring legacy of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd. Let "History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd." guide you through decades of cooperative excellence and community impact. Secure your copy now and discover the remarkable story of a baking society that shaped its era and beyond.

Labour in Glasgow, 1896-1936
Labour in Glasgow, 1896-1936

Author: J.J. Smyth

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Published: 2000-12-21

Total Pages: 333

ISBN-13: 1788853989

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This book provides the first single overview of Labour's electoral progress in Glasgow from its hesitant steps in the shadow of Liberalism to the moment it became the dominant party in the city in parliamentary and municipal politics. The unfolding narrative is not one of uninterrupted progress but a more complex story of partial breakthroughs and setbacks. Labour's electoral challenge is detailed over forty years and focuses on local elections more than parliamentary. This allows a broader and fuller picture to be presented rather than the narrower emphasis on the 'Red Clydeside' period of the Great War and immediately after. The Great War was the critical turning point. After 1918 Labour emerged from being a permanent minority to a position where it could genuinely seek to present itself as the major political voice in Glasgow. The nature of this transformation is identified as both the radicalising effect of the war itself and the attendant changes this provoked in Labour's attitude to its actual and potential constituency. Unlike other studies of the franchise system, the view expressed here is that the franchise was biased against the working class and this operated against Labour. However, Labour was effectively handicapped by its own ambivalence towards complete democracy, fuelled by fear of the poor and belief in the reactionary tendencies of the existing female local electorate. While the war resolved the franchise issue for Labour, in Glasgow the Party's own mobilisation over housing provided the means to appeal to the new female electorate.

The Emergence of Modern Retailing 1750-1950
The Emergence of Modern Retailing 1750-1950

Author: Gary Akehurst

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-02-01

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 1136296190

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The history of retail business development is an under-researched area. This book considers the emergence and development of modern retailing from an historical and management perspective in the period 1750-1950, addressing the need for further research and providing examples of current research activity. It considers the early emergence of retail forms in the late eighteenth century, the evolution of retail forms in the nineteenth century, and the late adaptation of retail management in the early twentieth century.

The British Consumer Co-operative Movement and Film, 1890s-1960s
The British Consumer Co-operative Movement and Film, 1890s-1960s

Author: Alan Burton

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 2005-09-03

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 9780719064166

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This volume provides a new study on the Co-operative Movement's engagement with film for educational, cultural and publicity purposes. It provides insights into the political and commercial use of cinema in the 20th century and significantly extends our understanding of the achievements of workers' cinema in Britain.

Co-operation and Globalisation
Co-operation and Globalisation

Author: Anthony Webster

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-03-07

Total Pages: 303

ISBN-13: 1351386123

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Globalisation is associated with capitalist multinationals dedicated to the enrichment of wealthy, corporate shareholders. However, less well known is that the English and Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Societies, owned by the growing number of local co-operative societies across the country, were early leaders in global commerce. Owned by their working-class members, by 1900 there were over 1,000 societies and millions of individual members. Spreading profits widely through the ‘divi’ which rewarded members shopping at the co-op store, and selling safe and wholesome food, the co-operative movement was a successful part of the emerging labour movement. This success depended on the wholesale societies supplying societies with commodities from all over the world. Because local societies were free to source produce from whoever they chose, competitive pressures required the wholesale societies to develop the world’s most formidable network of international supply chains, with branches, depots, plantations and factories in the USA, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Greece, France, Germany, India, Ceylon, Australia, New Zealand, colonial West Africa and Argentina. This book explains how the wholesales developed and managed these networks, giving them a competitive advantage in their dealings with the local societies. It will explore why and how this ‘People’s Global Colossus’ declined in the later 20th century, and how its focus in international commerce moved onto ethical sourcing, investment and Fair Trade. Integral to these global networks were the UK movement’s relations with foreign co-operative movements, especially through involvement in the International Co-operative Alliance, and promotion of co-operatives in the Empire by successive British governments as a tool for economic development. The ‘People’s Colossus’ was thus a political as well as a commercial player in the increasingly complex world of the late 19th and 20th centuries.