Models of socio-economic cooperation in Bulgaria until 1989

Trakia University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Regional Development, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria

^* Corresponding author: veng.sz@abv.bg

Abstract

Until 1989, the cooperative movement in Bulgaria built various organizations. Even before the establishment of the first cooperative in our country in 1890, so-called pre-cooperative forms of joint work and mutual assistance existed. Historically, the significance of cooperatives lies in their socio-economic commitment to the local population. The ideological and organizational principles of the Bulgarian cooperatives were finally formed on the eve of the Second World War and united about 25% of the working population in the country. Built on the basis of voluntarism, mutual assistance and respect for the interests of their members, they gain solid public popularity and the disapproval of the rulers. During socialism, the cooperative idea was accepted as a means of modernizing and socializing agriculture, but made significant changes to impose socialist forms of agriculture aimed at eliminating private property and creating economic disinterest. The totalitarian principle of government takes away private initiative in society, voluntariness and self-interest. People in cooperatives do not feel protected and supported, much less united. Despite partial attempts to return to cooperative values, this cannot be achieved in the existing socio-economic system.