Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Cooperatives are autonomous organizations. The fourth cooperative principle, "Autonomy and Independence," ensures that cooperatives maintain their self-governing character.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- According to this principle, cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled directly by their members.
- If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
- Therefore, they are not controlled by external investors, they do not operate independently of their members (as members are the owners), and they do not follow government directives blindly or strictly if it compromises their self-governance.
Step 4: Final Answer
The principle of autonomy and independence signifies that cooperatives are self-governed by their members.