cooperative congresses

The article examinesthe relationship between government and agricultural cooperation in Russia. First of all,the oppressive activities of the central office, which was represented by various ministries and departments, as well as the activities of the local administration, represented by the Institute of governors, provincial committees on small loans, inspections of small loans at local branches of the State Bank, zemstvo chiefs, and the police are being investigated.

The results of the work of the first Russian cooperative congresses, their composition and size are investigated. The decisions of the congresses, which determined the direction of development of agricultural, credit, consumer, industrial, creamery and processing cooperatives, are analyzed for many years to come. Special attention in the article is paid to the reaction of the authorities to their organization and to identifying the reasons for participation in political parties in cooperative congresses.

The contribution to the history and theory of the cooperative movement by the outstanding Russian scientist V. F. Totomianz, author of numerous works, encyclopedic essays on the history and theory of international and Russian cooperation. The practical participation of the Totomianz in the work of cooperative congresses, which determined the direction of development of Russian cooperation, is analyzed. Particular attention is paid to teaching, research and advocacy in Russia and in exile.