Portal:Capitalism/Selected quote/49

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(a) When the individual has become associated with a cooperative enterprise he has accepted a position of contact with others similarly associated. From this contact there must arise interaction[disambiguation needed]s between these persons individually, and these interactions are social. It may be, and often is, true that these interactions are not a purpose or object either of the cooperative systems or of the individuals participating in them. They nevertheless cannot be avoided. Hence, thought not sought, such interactions are consequences of cooperation, and constitute one set of social factors involved in cooperation.

These factors operate on the individuals affected; and, in conjunction with other factors, become incorporated in their mental and emotional characters. This is an effect which makes them significant. Hence, cooperation compels changes in the motives of individuals which otherwise would not take place. So far as these changes are in a direction favorable to the cooperative system they are resources to it. So far as they are in a direction unfavorable to cooperation, they are detriments to it or limitations of it.

— Chester Barnard (1886 – 1961)
The Functions of the Executive , 1938