‘Cooperation’ is one of most basic, pervasive and continuous, social processes. It is the very basis of social existence. Cooperation generally means working together for the pursuit of a com­mon goals.

The term ‘Cooperation’ is derived from the two Latin words: ‘Co’ meaning together and ‘opera meaning to work. Literally, cooperation means joint work or working together for common rewards.

Thus, cooperation is mutual working together for the attainment of a common goal. It implies a regard for the wishes, needs and aspirations of other people. It is often considered to be unselfish.
Cooperation requires sympathy and identification. We cannot have cooperation without the development of sympathy. Sympathy depends upon the capacity of an individual to imagine himself in the place of another, particularly when the other person is in difficulties

Mutual aid is another name for cooperation. Cooperation is possible only when there is like mindedness, similarity of pur­pose, mutual awareness, mutual understanding, mutual helpfulness and selfless attitude.
Progress can better be achieved through united action. Progress in science and technology, agriculture and industry, transport and communication, etc., would not have been possible without cooperation. Persons who cooperate may generate unbounded enthusiasm.