Final answer:
The autonomy and independence of a cooperative refer to its self-governance and ability to make decisions without external interference. These concepts allow cooperatives to manage their operations democratically and align with the freedom found in employee-owned businesses. A cooperative's autonomy supports the principle of free enterprise, facilitating member-driven benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The autonomy and independence of a cooperative refer to the degree of self-governance and self-determination that the cooperative has in managing its affairs. In essence, autonomy ensures that a cooperative can set its own policies and manage its operations without undue outside influence. Independence is the practical manifestation of autonomy, allowing the cooperative to enact its strategies, make decisions regarding its economic activities, and maintain control over its resources. Cooperatives value this aspect as it supports the democratic principles upon which they are founded, allowing member-owners to directly influence the cooperative's direction.
For instance, cooperatives often engage in employee-owned businesses where decisions are made democratically. Factors such as home rule, mentioned in the transfer of power via charters, parallel the autonomy cooperatives seek within their economic sphere. Furthermore, just as national identity groups may push for regional autonomy, cooperatives assert their independence to operate in a manner that aligns with their members' interests.
Members of a cooperative must understand their responsibilities while balancing the need for individual freedom within the group, to preserve the collective's health without compromising personal agency. The principle of free enterprise employed in the United States supports autonomy in being able to establish various forms of businesses, including cooperatives. This principle allows these businesses, through the cooperation of their members, to lower costs of production and marketing to achieve collective benefits.