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Abstract
There is growing consensus among both practitioners and the academic
community that the cooperative business model is a form of institution that
meets most of the dimensions of poverty, providing opportunities,
facilitating empowerment, and enhancing security. But what is the basis for
the claim that the cooperative model has a potential to reduce poverty? This
paper presents a literature review of empirical research on cooperatives’
potential to reduce poverty and finds substantial evidence to support this
claim. Four different perspectives on this proposition are identified, all
agreeing to this claim but emphasizing further the need to respect
cooperative principles and values.