Družstevnictví střední a východní Evropy v procesu utváření národních společností 1850–1940. Pokus o periodizaci

The modern cooperative movement in Central and Eastern Europe was closely linked from its beginning to that of nationalism. Consequently, most of the first cooperative leaders were leading personalities of the national movement. They viewed cooperatives not only as tools to foster the economic development, but also to support national emancipation. These members of intelligentsia and bourgeoisie were responsible for the cooperative movement based on the principles of national separation. While at the initial stage of national movement the economic development was of secondary importance compared to the cultural requirements, the situation changed when cooperatives had become a mass movement. The cooperatives put their communication networks at the disposal of the national movement, or they were established in places where an initial cultural institution was already available. Thus, they constituted a support for national movements and contributed to the struggles shifting from the national area to the economic one.