How can a cooperative control itself and not be beholden to anyone else? Can it? How can cooperatives ensure their independence when they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources?

This week Kevin, Larry and Cinar discuss the fourth of the Rochdale Principles: Autonomy and independence, which states, "Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy"