PRINCIPLES OF CO‐OPERATIVES2. Many people understand principles as ironclad commandments that must be followed literally. In one sense that is true in that Principles should provide standards of measurement. In another sense, they should restrict, even prohibit, certain actions while encouraging others. The Principles that form the heart of co‐operatives are not independent of each other. They are subtly linked; when one is ignored, all are diminished. Co‐operatives should not be judged
