Fraternity & Co-operation

• Socialists believe fraternity exists in a society where wealth is equally shared by everyone.
• For socialists, a shared feeling of brotherhood between people will cause co-operation and peace in a society.
• Socialists do not believe that there is fraternity in a capitalist system as people compete with each other to succeed.
• Socialists believe fraternity will end capitalism.

Fraternity is found in many labour movements where workers stand as comrades to defend and promote their rights through protests and strikes.

• The miners' strikes of 1984-1985 were taken to stop the closing of coal mines by Margaret Thatcher's government.
• The strikes were organised by the National Union of Mineworkers, a trade union.

• Lecturers went on strike in 2018 to protest against planned changes to their pensions.
• Lecturers from 65 universities chose to strike from February to April and formed picket lines outside universities.

• Working together for the same end (for example the common good) Socialists believe in a society where humans co-operate with each other.
• Socialists argue that there is no co-operation in a capitalist society because there is a conflict between the different social classes which exist in a capitalist society.
• Socialism believes a socialist economic system will promote co-operation.
• For socialists, the society’s economic system influences human behaviour.

• The co-operative movement in the UK is based on the principle of co-operation. The co-operative movement is owned by its members and aims to serve its members' needs.

• The Co-Operative Bank (The Co-Op Bank) is a well-known example of the co-operative movement.
• The Co-Op Bank's main aim is to meet the needs of its members rather than to maximise its profits.
• The Co-Op Bank has an Ethical Policy which lists important values to the bank's customers and members. Ethical policies include:
• Supporting charities which aim to increase social development.
• Promoting human rights.
• Protecting the environment.

• The Co-Operative Party represents the co-operative movement in UK politics.
• The Co-Operative Party are closely linked to the Labour Party and have an agreement not to stand against each other in elections.
• Political candidates represent both parties, with 43 Labour and Co-Operative MPs in Parliament (as of the 2024 general election).