A cooperative is a specific model for doing business, characterized by its own identity based on values and principles. The roots of values and principles can be traced to the foundations of human behavior and society, and they are posed as an issue in science and practice that has gained increasing importance in the last decade. In the present study, questions related to the essence of cooperative values, the essence of cooperative principles, the role of cooperative values and principles for characterizing the cooperative as an organization with its own identity and specificity in doing business are considered? The research has a theoretical character and uses the tools of positive descriptive-theoretical and comparative analysis. A definition and general characterization of the concepts of value, cooperative value, principle and cooperative principle is given, the results of the characterization are commented on and their changes over time are analyzed and considered, as well as their practical application. The main conclusions reached are that cooperative values and principles form the core of cooperative identity and culture, cooperative values are relatively resistant to rapid change, while cooperative principles evolve relatively faster. The need for adequate adaptation to the new realities of the 21st century is justified. Key words: Cooperative values, cooperative principles, cooperative, cooperative system