Literally Cooperative derived from English coperation consists of two syllables, namely: Co which means together and Operation meaningful work. So the cooperative means working together, so any form of cooperation can be called a cooperative. Cooperatives are institutions (institutions) that grow on the basis of traditional solidarity and cooperation among individuals, which has evolved since the beginning of human history until the beginning of “Industrial Revolution” in Europe in the late 18th century and during the 19th century, often referred to as Pre-historic Industries Cooperative or Cooperative. Modern cooperative founded in the late 18th century, especially in response to social problems that arise during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution.

According to Mr. Coop Indonesia, Drs. Muhammad Hatta Cooperative is the most suitable economic institutions if implemented in Indonesia. This is because the nature of Indonesian society are high kolektifitasannya and family. But unfortunately the economic institutions are not even grown rapidly in the Republic of Indonesia. Capitalism developed rapidly and damage the joint national identity without trying to fix it. So the gap is widening social and insurmountable anymore. Cooperative movement was initiated by Robert Owen (1771-1858), who apply it first in the business of cotton mills in New Lanark, Scotland.

The cooperative movement was further developed by William King (1786-1865)-through the establishment of a co-operative store in Brighton, England. on 1 may 1828, King published a monthly periodical called Kooperator, which contains many ideas and practical advice on the management of a store using the principle of koperasi.Koperasi eventually evolved into other countries. In Germany, also has a co-op, which uses the same principles with the cooperative are made in England. Cooperatives in the United Kingdom was founded by Charles Foirer, Raffeinsen, and Schulze Delitch. In France, Louis Blanc founded the cooperative produksiyang put quality barang.Koperasi Indonesia submitted Aria r. Wiriatmadja in Purwokerto, Central Java in 1896. He established the credit cooperatives in order to help the people locked into debt with loan sharks.

Now that President Yudhoyono is also very concerned about the cooperative, yesterday the melt is large enough SBY Cooperative, This means that the cooperatives in Indonesia have been developed. Cooperative and then growing rapidly and eventually imitated by Boedi Oetomo and SDI.