AbstractThe history of workers' co-operatives and common ownership schemes throughout the world is outlined, and the approaches to it by different political factions discussed. It is not only socialist parties which have advocated some form of co-operative ownership.The redistribution of property is fundamental in this movement and it is argued that co-operatives could help to reduce unemployment and inflation.Although little progress towards common ownership has been made over the last 150 years there are success stories such as the John Lewis Partnership. Tax concessions can be a good incentive to companies to offer profit sharing schemes or full conversion to employee ownership.