While many have interpreted the cooperative movement as propagating a radical alternative to capitalism, Cooperative Rule shows that in the late British Empire, cooperation became an important part of the armory of colonialism. The system was rooted in British rule in India at the end of the nineteenth century. Officials and experts saw cooperation as a unique solution to the problems of late colonialism, one able to both improve economic conditions and defuse anticolonial politics by allowing community uplift among the empire’s primarily rural inhabitants. A truly transcolonial history, this ambitious book examines the career of cooperation from South Asia to Eastern and Central Africa and finally to Britain. In tracing this history, Aaron Windel opens the door for a reconsideration of how the colonial uses of cooperation and community development influenced the reimagination of community in Europe and America from the 1960s onward.

Intended for readers without any formal accountancy training, this book explains in clear and simple language how to document the financial transactions associated with credit and savings schemes. Efficient administration and accurate accounting records are vital for any scheme to be successful. Recording and sorting the data, and preparing financial summaries, such as receipts and payments reports and balance sheets, are descried in detail, with numerous illustrations and worked examples. The administration of loans and savings, and the recording of stock transfers are also fully covered. Basic Accounting for Credit and Savings Schemes will be of use to community development workers involved in or considering setting up such schemes.