Description
Joan Ventosa i Roig
Book Summary
This work offers a rigorous and accessible portrait of Joan Ventosa i Roig, a transcendental figure of 20th-century cooperativism. The reader will discover the trajectory of a pharmacist and agronomist who dedicated his life to theorizing and disseminating the principles of cooperation. From his early involvement in a consumer cooperative to his key role in drafting the Spanish and Catalan cooperative laws of the 1930s, the book traces his legacy as president of national and international federations. It is an essential read for understanding the foundations of the modern cooperative movement through the biography of one of its main architects.
What is it about?
The biography of Joan Ventosa i Roig (Vilanova i la Geltrú, 1883 - Mexico City, 1961) chronicles the life of a key figure in the history of cooperativism. With a background in pharmacy and agronomy, Ventosa became involved as a young man in a consumer cooperative in his hometown, beginning intense work on the dissemination and theorization of the cooperative model. His career led him to preside over the Catalan and Spanish cooperative federations and to serve on the central committee of the International Co-operative Alliance, where he joined the commission tasked with establishing the basic principles of modern cooperation. He was a prominent drafter of the historic Spanish and Catalan cooperative laws of the 1930s. His political commitment, which led him to serve as a minister of the Generalitat, forced him into exile in Mexico, where he became a global authority on school cooperation.
Main Topics
- Biography of Joan Ventosa i Roig, a central figure in cooperativism.
- History and evolution of the cooperative movement in Catalonia and Spain during the 20th century.
- Theorization and dissemination of the basic principles of modern cooperation.
- The drafting process of the cooperative laws of the 1930s.
- School cooperation and its development in Mexican exile.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and researchers of contemporary history, social economy, and social movements, as well as professionals in the cooperative sector and any reader interested in learning about the figures who forged modern cooperativism. It will also be of great interest to those who wish to understand the role of the Republican exile in spreading cooperation models internationally.
What this book contributes
- Detailed knowledge of the life and work of one of the main theorists and legislators of 20th-century cooperativism.
- Keys to understanding the evolution of cooperative principles internationally, from their formulation to their application.
- A historical perspective on the relationship between political commitment, exile, and the promotion of school cooperation.
Technical Data
- Author: AGNÔS ROTGER
- Publisher: Eumo Editorial SAU
- Language: Catalan
- Subject: BIOGRAPHY: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
- Collection: COOPERATIVISTES CATA
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: December 2012
- Number of pages: 96
- Weight: 237 g
Editorial Assessment
This is a concise and well-documented biography that succeeds in bringing the figure of Joan Ventosa i Roig to a wide audience. The work stands out for its ability to synthesize a complex life trajectory rich in contributions to the cooperative movement, from theory to legislative practice. It is particularly valuable for those seeking a rigorous introduction to the history of Catalan and Spanish cooperativism, as well as for understanding the roots of the cooperative principles that remain in force today. Its brevity makes for an agile read without sacrificing historical rigor.