Cooperation by Bernard E Harcourt is a dense but accessible work that suggests we can make a better, more equitable society through Coöperism.

Coöperism is made up of political, economic, and social theories that highlight mutually beneficial cooperation on every level. The explanations and examples given do a good job of making the benefits clear but, for me, I had a hard time thinking through exactly how we might begin down this path. Let me be clear, I do think Harcourt explains ways to start this transition, I am personally having a hard time imagining the process(es).

I did find that discussing abolition democracy and relating cooperation democracy went a long way toward helping me grasp the ideas better. I am going to sign up for a webinar that is taking place in May of this year where he will discuss this book and his ideas. What I would really enjoy would be a conference where various thinkers and activists get together to both fine tune the ideas and debate steps to be taken. Something like that would help take this from theoretical idea to practical action.

I would recommend this to those wondering how we can work through the many crises we seem to be dealing with and come out the other end with a more equitable long term solution and not simply short-term patches. Additionally, those inclined toward the theory rather than the activism will find a lot here to consider, and maybe move them toward making change rather than just talking about it.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )