Annals of the University of Oradea: Economic Science (Jul 2013)
A VIEW UPON THE HISTORY OF THE PEASANT ASSOCIATION
Abstract
The whole social and economic life is based on some form of association. People live in societies, so the idea association appeared in the most natural way, at first in an unconscious form, moving later towards the conscious and organized association. Seeing that through the association they were able to defend their professional interests, fulfil their economic goals and meet their common needs, peasants adopted its formula with confidence. The ways in which the association spread were diverse. Depending on the economic, social and moral circumstances and on the habits and goals of the various masses of peasants, there have been developed mainly one of the three forms: trade unions, cooperatives, and mutuality. The peasant associations helped the rural communities everywhere and were the object of interest of many theoreticians, who sought their roots, their forms, presented their principles and analyzed their results. One of them was Professor Nicolae Ghiulea, a Romanian economist and sociologist, fervent supporter of the association idea. Nicolae Ghiulea was among the most important representatives of the cooperative doctrine of the interwar period and was well-known for his prestigious academic career. He filled several administrative and social leading functions and had a rich publishing activity in the areas of statistical theory, social economy, cooperatives and sociology. This article sets out to present his view upon the history of the peasant association, as exposed in one of his books entitled „The peasant associations”. The author focuses on the various forms of peasant associations, their history and their practical results in interwar Romania, explaining why they were beneficial. At a closer look, peasant associations are still a viable solution to many current social issues, especially those concerning agriculture.
