COOPERATIVES AS ONE OF THE FORMS OF THE SOCIAL MARKETECONOMY

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to show the value of social activities in the age of globalization of marketsand to demonstrate that businesses of this type are needed in the economy. The article is a theoreticalspeculation based on of the authors’ own observations as well as on the opinions of cooperatives andscientists. Despite a decrease in interest in the Polish cooperative sector, its affiliates represent a strongassociation represented by 8 million members and about 2 thousand of cooperative entities. The unitednature of the cooperative and the dedication of its members place those enterprises in the social economy.These entities proved to be able to effectively meet the new and existing needs of society.

Keywords

• cooperative
• social economy
• global markets
• members