The article deals with problems related to the development of economic co-operation. The approximate calculations by the Estonian Co-operative Union indicate that 10-15 billion kroons worth of net profit is taken out of Estonia every year by transnational companies based on foreign capital, and as a rule this money is not reinvested.<\/p>\n
A part of that money would remain in Estonia if more co-operatives and associations were formed. On the basis of the above-mentioned, the author finds that the development of co-operation must be endorsed at a state level (classes at school, applied research, regular publications etc.). It is especially important to promote the concept that co-operation is beneficial not only to members, but is of utmost socio-political significance in uniting the people and giving more substance to the independence of Estonia.<\/p>\n
The author also refers to the Ancient Roman Law, where citizens were owners, and to the later classics of political economy, which developed the bourgeoisie market economy<\/em> model that viewed citizens as subjects who participated in the market process of sales and exchange.<\/p>\n