Intellectuals-cooperators of the first decades of the 20th century: the formation of a new type of intelligentsia in Ukrainian society

Abstract

Abstract. Purpose of the article. To show the consequences of the development of cooperative forms of economic activity in Dnieper Ukraine in the first third of the 20th century for the social status and social culture of the intelligentsia. Scientific novelty. Consists in identifying a social stratum with a specific social culture and socio-functional characteristics determined by the development of cooperative management. Methodology. A method is proposed to clarify the role of the cooperative movement in social progress, which the author of the article calls the empirical method. It involves the use of empirical data on the social characteristics of the intelligentsia, reflected in historical sources, to clarify the impact of the development of cooperation on its social culture and socio-functional characteristics. The term “social culture” is used in the interpretation: the values, ethical norms, traditions, principles and logic of thinking inherent in a particular group of people. The term “socio-functional characteristics” refers to the ability of a social stratum to perform certain systemically significant tasks in society. Conclusions. In the first third of the 20th century, there was a wide range of applications for intellectual labour in cooperative organisations. Propaganda, organisational and managerial work in the cooperative movement was generally carried out by representatives of the intelligentsia. The intelligentsia involved in the cooperative movement were called “cooperative intelligentsia”, “cooperative workers” and “conscious peasant intelligentsia”. Some of them were formed within the cooperative movement from representatives of the peasantry and industrial workers by advancing to elected leadership positions in cooperative organisations and acquiring educational and professional training in cooperative educational institutions. The intelligentsia varied in their moral and business qualities and their level of interest in cooperative affairs. Some joined the cooperative for purely material reasons, to receive a salary while working in full-time positions in cooperative organisations. Intellectuals who were committed to cooperative work also worked in cooperatives. They were well versed in the principles of cooperative management and duly performed their duties as managers and employees of cooperatives and cooperative unions. Some cooperative workers saw cooperation as their only sphere of activity, regarded their work as their social calling, and saw themselves as a separate social stratum. The latter was called the “peasant intelligentsia” and others. The defining characteristics of this group of intellectual cooperators were their ability to work among the people, their activities in the economic interests of the people, their dependence, and the level of development of cooperation.