Ten Principles of Cooperation as Taught by Fr. JM Arizmendiarrieta

Fr. José María Arizmendiarrieta (1915–1976) developed these 10 principles in the 1940s–1950s while working with the Young Adult Ministry (Jóvenes de Acción Católica) in his Mondragón parish. He drew directly from the Gospel’s vision of the Kingdom of God and the emerging body of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), especially Rerum Novarum (1891), Quadragesimo Anno (1931), and Mater et Magistra (1961). These principles formed the ethical foundation of the Mondragón Cooperative Movement.

Below, for each principle, I provide a brief statement of the principle, followed by Gospel passages and CST quotations that most directly guided Arizmendiarrieta’s teaching.

1. Open Admission

No discrimination in membership; open to all who accept the principles and can contribute.

Gospel:

“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

CST:

“The Church’s social teaching… insists on the fundamental equality of all persons… without discrimination of any kind.” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 144, echoing Rerum Novarum 16)

2. Democratic Organization

One person, one vote; power belongs to the workers, not to capital or hierarchy.

Gospel:

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them… But it shall not be so among you. Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-26)

CST:

“Democracy… is conducive to discipline, to responsibility, to the reaffirmation of solidarity.” (Arizmendiarrieta’s own formulation, rooted in Quadragesimo Anno 79–80 on subsidiarity and participation)

3. Sovereignty of Labor

Labor is the central, sovereign element; people come before capital.

Gospel:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)

“The laborer deserves his wages.” (Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18)CST:

“Labor is the source of wealth… Capital is only an instrument.” (Rerum Novarum 19–20; Quadragesimo Anno 53: “Labor is not a mere chattel”)

4. Instrumental and Subordinate Nature of Capital

Capital is a tool in service of labor and the common good, never its master.

Gospel:

“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24) CST:

“Capital… has only an instrumental function… It must remain subordinate to the human person and to the common good.” (Arizmendiarrieta drew this directly from Quadragesimo Anno 45–46 and personalist philosophy)

5. Participatory Management

Workers participate in decisions at every level.

Gospel:

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.” (Acts 2:44)CST:

“Participation is a fundamental demand of human dignity and the right to work.” (Mater et Magistra 84–90; Quadragesimo Anno 65 on “social justice” requiring co-responsibility)

6. Wage Solidarity

Limited wage differentials; solidarity across pay scales.

Gospel:

“The first will be last, and the last will be first.” (Matthew 20:16)

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

CST:

“Just remuneration… must take into account the needs of the worker and his family.” (Rerum Novarum 45; Mater et Magistra 71 on wage solidarity)

7. Inter-cooperation

Cooperatives help one another and form networks.

Gospel:

“That they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you.” (John 17:21)

CST:

“Solidarity… is the firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good.” (Later formalized in Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 38, but rooted in Quadragesimo Anno 80 on “social charity” and cooperation)

8. Social Transformation

Cooperatives work to transform society toward justice.

Gospel:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to bring good news to the poor… to proclaim liberty to the captives.” (Luke 4:18–19)

CST:

“The Church cannot remain indifferent to the structures of sin that generate injustice.” (Quadragesimo Anno 3–4; Arizmendiarrieta’s repeated theme: “We are not saving souls for heaven while ignoring the earthly city”)

9. Universal Nature

Solidarity extends to all humanity, especially the developing world.

Gospel:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)

“Whoever does it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

CST:

“The goods of creation are destined for the whole human race.” (Gaudium et Spes 69; Rerum Novarum 15 on universal destination of goods)

10. Education

Continuous education is the foundation of all the other principles.

Gospel:

“Go and make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30–31 – education forms the whole person)

CST:

“Education… is the most important of all the principles because it makes the others possible.” (Arizmendiarrieta’s own emphasis, drawn from Mater et Magistra 76–80 and the Church’s long tradition of “education for justice”)

These biblical and doctrinal sources were the spiritual and intellectual foundation Fr. Arizmendiarrieta gave to the young adults of his parish. He repeatedly told them: “Work is not a punishment but proof of the trust God gives us by making us fellow collaborators in creation.” The 10 Principles were his practical translation of the Gospel and CST into everyday economic life—exactly what became the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation.