7 pillars

1	For a free society to flourish, the exercise of individual liberty requires the acknowledgement of mutual responsibility.
2	Mutualism can thrive only when it is rooted in culture and choice, rather than laws and coercion; it should be encouraged as far as possible, and enforced only when necessary.
3	Legitimate economic and political power may derive from a variety of sources; what matters is how it is used, how it is checked and how far it is dispersed.
4	Markets are social institutions that should both offer rights to, and demand obligations from, those who seek financial gain.
5	Government has a duty to promote responsible market behaviour; to act as an effective umpire it should, as far as possible, avoid being a market competitor.
6	Mutualism requires an inclusive society in which all have equal access to the means to participate in it to the full.
7	Government has a duty to guarantee basic equality of access, but should, as far as possible, leave delivery to independent institutions exercising their mutual responsibility.

Source: New Mutualism - The Third Way, Peter Kellner, September 1998 ISBN 0 85195 252 6 Price: Ł5.00 plus p&p

This pamphlet represents the author’s interpretation of the subject, not the policies of the Co-operative Party. The pamphlet may not be reproduced without the express permission of the Co-operative Party, or the express permission of the author. The Co-operative Party is the political wing of the Co-operative Movement. It promotes the application of Co-operative Principles through elected representatives at all political levels.

The Seven Pillars of Mutualism

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