Food is Freedom: The Evolution and Raison d’être of Cooperatives in Kuwait

Abstract

Kuwait’s cooperative societies (“co-ops”) are vital institutions that are a hub for social, economic, and political activities. In this article we focus on the purpose of co-ops from a socio-political perspective. We argue that co-ops function both as bottom-up organizations and as a means of upholding citizen autonomy versus the state. Historically they emerged as grassroots initiatives in the pre-oil era and have played a significant role in the country’s socio-political arena. Due to their role in securing citizens’ autonomy and thereby upholding the social contract between the ruler and the citizen, the co-ops contribute to legitimizing the regime. Co-ops have not been studied closely and a new research agenda studying these organizations in Kuwait and the region is necessary.