Aside from championing equality, it seems that co-ops can also make people happier. A recent post over at Co-operative News rounded up seven reasons why co-operatives promote happiness:

1. You're the boss – you have a vote in how the business is managed
2. More job security – instead of layoffs, co-operators more often opt for across the board wage cuts
3. Increased job satisfaction through collective decision making
4. Collective management – everyone can be the boss
5. Independence from investors – profits and decisions stay within the enterprise
6. Cooperation is good for us emotionally
7. Purpose – coops are underpinned by seven basic principles of cooperation which give workers a sense of purpose

See more on the seven reasons here including links to backup research.