Prout recognises that private sector economy has had an enormous appeal to industrious people, providing for significant industrial-economic output under capitalism. A typical idea is that the collective would hold back or drain efficient and creative dynamics, which are among the hallmarks of many successful entrepreneurs.
Still, Prout's three-tiered economic system views the cooperative sector as the largest and central, with the public and private sectors playing attendant roles to it. In a proutistic setup, many private enterprises will be transformed into cooperatives in stages natural to the growth of a more cooperative, progressive-minded society.
The following excerpts are from two of Shrii Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar's discourses on decentralised economy and cooperatives.
“As far as possible, agriculture, industry and trade should be managed through cooperatives. In these sectors of the economy private ownership should be abolished in stages. Only where production cannot be undertaken by cooperatives because of the complex nature or small scale of operations should it be undertaken by private enterprises.”
“All types of agro-industries and agrico-industries will have to be developed according to the needs and resources of the local area, and these industries should be managed as cooperatives.”
“Most medium-scale industries should be managed as cooperatives, but they should not be guided by monopoly production and profit. The cooperative sector will be the main sector of the economy. Cooperatives are the best means to organise local people independently, guarantee their livelihood and enable them to control their economic welfare. Most small-scale and cottage industries will be in the hands of individual owners. Small-scale industries should be confined mainly to the production of non-essential commodities such as luxury items. Though privately owned, they must maintain adjustment with the cooperative sector to ensure a balanced economy.”
“All kinds of industrial activities from key industries to cottage industries should be organised with the cooperation of the local population. Care should also be taken so that private enterprises are set up by the local people.”
All the above from "Decentralised Economy - 1", Proutist Economics
“It is always better for people to work together as far as possible – the more that human beings work together, the better it is. If this principle is not followed the spirit of society will be broken, adversely affecting the very existence of human beings. People have to eat food individually – another person cannot eat your food for you – however a meal can be shared collectively. Where individuality dominates human life, the environment, the welfare of different groups and even the continued existence of humanity may be adversely affected.”
“For example, the apple orchards of Himachal Pradesh should function as cooperatives rather than private farms.”
The above from "Cooperatives", Prout in a Nutshell 14, and in Proutist Economics