Question

Difficulty: MediumCooperative Societies: Types, Principles, Features, and Operation

Match each cooperative operational practice listed below with its corresponding Rochdale principle of cooperation.

  • Assigning a single vote to each registered member regardless of total shares ownedDemocratic Control
  • Rebating annual net surplus to members based on the total value of their patronagePatronage Refund
  • Capping the maximum interest rate payable on equity contributed by membersLimited Return on Capital
  • Permitting eligible individuals to join or withdraw without social or political discriminationVoluntary and Open Membership

Answer

The correct pairings match each operational practice to its corresponding Rochdale principle: voting equality corresponds to Democratic Control, surplus sharing by transaction volume corresponds to Patronage Refund, capping interest on share capital corresponds to Limited Return on Capital, and non-discriminatory admission corresponds to Voluntary and Open Membership.
Each cooperative operational practice directly represents a core Rochdale principle: equal voting power illustrates Democratic Control, returning profits based on usage represents Patronage Refund, restricting interest rates on equity represents Limited Return on Capital, and open enrollment reflects Voluntary and Open Membership.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze voting rights in cooperative governance.
Allocating one vote per member regardless of shareholding exemplifies Democratic Control.
Cooperatives prioritize democratic membership over capital ownership.
2
Determine how economic surplus is shared among members.
Distributing surplus according to purchase or transaction volume matches Patronage Refund.
Surplus distribution rewards member usage rather than financial investment.
3
Evaluate the restriction on dividend/interest paid on share capital.
Capping interest on capital contributions matches Limited Return on Capital.
This prevents speculation and ensures service to members remains the primary goal.
4
Examine member entry and exit rules.
Allowing non-discriminatory entry and exit matches Voluntary and Open Membership.
Rochdale principles require open access for all eligible persons.

Key Concept

Rochdale Principles of Cooperation
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