Cooperative movement as special form of social movement

The author's methodology of studying of institutional stages of development of cooperation which basis the sociological concepts "social movement", "social action", "social institute" are is offered. Definition of the concept "social movement" allows treating cooperation as the cooperative movement representing the specific social movement directed to improvement of the public relations by the fullest satisfaction of material and spiritual needs of its participants interacting among themselves on the basis of the cooperation proved by cooperative ideology. The system method of studying of institute of cooperation approved by a number of researchers is described. It is indicated the need of use of the theoretic-methodological practices which are carried out within economic science for quantitative assessment of a social mission of institute of cooperation. At the present stage of development of scientific knowledge rather strong and reasonable theoretic-methodological base allowing carrying out complex sociological studying of institute of cooperation and his role in creation of socially oriented economy is developed.