5th International Conference: 'Challenges of Law in the 21st Century'

IusXXI 2023

The contributions of the members as a source of financing to the patrimony (share capital) of the cooperatives

Abstract

Cooperatives represent a phenomenon of growing importance globally. Together with the social purposes they seek, they pursue economic stability for their members and the society where they develop.

In the legal environment, in a special way, the path in search of the particular "identity" of the cooperatives has been tortuous. Despite this, these do not correspond exactly to any of those; they must be recognized as a sui generis collective form.

Within this last aspect, the cooperative social capital is framed, which reinforces the sui generis character of the cooperative, meanwhile, distances it from other collective forms such as capital mercantile companies. As an element of patrimony, the capital is made up of the contributions of the members and constitutes one of the main forms of their participation in the cooperative management. This conditions the specialty of these contributions; With its realization, the cooperative member or aspiring to be one demonstrates their economic interest in belonging to the group and guaranteeing the existence and preservation of heritage, although they are not essentially remunerated for them.

Resumen

Las cooperativas representan un fenómeno de creciente importancia a nivel global. De conjunto con los fines sociales que pretenden, persiguen estabilidad económica para sus integrantes y la sociedad donde se desarrollan.

En el entorno jurídico, de manera especial, el camino en busca de la particular "identidad" de las cooperativas ha sido tortuoso. A pesar de ello, estas no se corresponden de manera exacta con ninguna de aquellas; deben reconocerse como una forma colectiva sui generis.

Dentro de este último aspecto, se enmarca el capital social cooperativo que refuerza el carácter sui generis de la cooperativa, en tanto, la aleja de otras formas colectivas como las sociedades mercantiles de capital. Como elemento del patrimonio, el capital se conforma por las aportaciones de los miembros y constituye una de las formas principales de participación de estos en la gestión cooperativa. Ello condiciona la especialidad de esas aportaciones; con su realización, el cooperativista o aspirante a serlo demuestra su interés económico en pertenecer al colectivo y garantizar la existencia y preservación del patrimonio, aunque no se retribuye esencialmente por ellas.