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A series of observations on various types of cooperatives is constructed from intermittent surveys between 1920 and 1950 and, where possible, these are extended to recent years. These observations allow several questions to be taken up : how well have organizations that resemble consumers' cooperatives fared in the U.S. economy over the last century? ; are consumers' cooperatives viable organizations in an economy dominated by capital-owned firms? ; where have cooperatives made their mark?; what role has government played in the patterns of cooperative development? Suggestions for further research on cooperatives are proposed.