The master's thesis explores the historical development of the cooperative movement in Velike Lašče and its impact on the economic and social structure of the local community in the 20th century. The analysis begins with a historical overview of mutual cooperation, followed by a description of the beginnings of cooperative organization in Slovenia in the 19th century. After outlining the historical development up to the 20th century, the focus shifts to the Agricultural Cooperative Velike Lašče. The thesis then explains the formation of the initial individual cooperatives (livestock, dairy, consumer, etc.) and their merger in 1948 into a single Agricultural Cooperative Velike Lašče. This is followed by a decade-by-decade analysis, identifying the periods of greater and lesser success in the cooperative’s operations. The cooperative functioned as one of the key mechanisms for ensuring the economic stability of the countryside: it enabled joint purchasing and selling, provided agricultural equipment and fertilizers, introduced modern technologies, maintained infrastructure, established a network of shops and hospitality establishments, supported cultural life, and facilitated local employment. Of particular importance was its role in promoting modern farming methods, offering credit for the purchase of agricultural machinery and fertilizers, educating the rural population, and organizing fairs and exhibitions. During the socialist period, it was incorporated into the planned economy; after Slovenia's independence, it had to adapt to the challenges of the market economy and global changes. The thesis is based on a wide range of sources: archival documents, published collections, oral testimonies, and family memories, allowing for a multifaceted and personally nuanced understanding of the topic. Through the thesis, it becomes evident that the cooperative movement, as a form of local organization, went beyond mere economic significance and became an important pillar of social cohesion, local identity, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
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