[fimdomeio]

My personal theory (I don't think it is very popular amongst my fellow coops) is that co-ops need well defined hierarchies that have the power to take a lot of decisions and the dutty to report on the decisions taken and the resoning behind it but with that also well defined rules to make sure power changes hands via democratic processes every x amount of years.

[AstralStorm]

Your personal theory has what backing? Care to share why you think hierarchy is necessary?

The only semi-valid reason to have a hierarchy in a cooperative is to optimize voting and reduce meetings. That would be less necessary if your cooperative runs in a more digital way and concerns of various members are known ahead of time.

Otherwise hierarchical cooperatives can be literally corrupted by the hierarchy or sold out, turning them into an almost regular company with board of shareholders.

[onphonenow]

Or check out esops or employee owned companies - they don’t have same egalitarian approach - but often run more like a business

[replygirl]

check out sociocracy