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Abstract
This paper is written from a sociology of science/rhetoric of science
perspective. The paper critiques the central rhetorical constructions of neoclassical
economic studies as applied to agricultural cooperative conversions.
Conversions refer to the internal re-structurings, sell-outs, and hybridizations
of cooperative organizational form to investment oriented structures. Neoclassical
economics analyses of conversions are based within an "individualist-idealist"
metaphor. This metaphor, as articulated in neo-classical economics,
does not allow the scientist to see historical and sociological aspects of
cooperatives, and broader, more holistic implications of conversions. We
argue for broadening the conversation to include social materialist, and
social voluntarist metaphors, for more complete expression of the practical
implications of the conversion of agricultural cooperatives, and to suggest the
importance of self-awareness in doing science.