Capitalism and the Commons: Just Commons in the Era of Multiple Crises

Capitalism and the Commons explores the political and social perspectives of commons, how they are appropriated or suppressed by capital and the state, and how social initiatives and movements contest these dynamics or build their struggles on commoning. The book engages with different discourses on the commons in regard to their relevance for social change and provides an original and important approach to the topic, transcending narrow disciplinary boundaries and expanding the focus to the global.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Capitalism and the Commons delves into the multifaceted political and social dimensions of commons, exploring how they are appropriated or suppressed by capital and the state. It also examines how social initiatives and movements challenge these dynamics or build their struggles on commoning principles. The book comprises theoretical and empirical approaches that engage with three central themes: conceptualizing the commons, analyzing practices of commoning, and exploring commons politics.

Contributors to the volume offer insightful perspectives on the development of anti-capitalist commons and examine the issue of practice and politics through case studies from various regions. These case studies include examples from Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Africa more broadly, as well as Austria, Germany, and South Korea. The studies cover a range of commons, from peri-urban and rural agriculture to urban commons, and explore how they manifest in both the Global South and the Global North.

The book engages with diverse discourses on the commons, highlighting their relevance for social change. It provides an original and important approach to the topic, encompassing conceptualization, detailed empirical realities, and analysis of potential perspectives. By transcending narrow disciplinary boundaries, the book expands its focus to the global level.

Capitalism and the Commons offers valuable insights to scholars and students of resource management, social movements, and sustainable development. It sheds light on the potential of commons to create alternative systems and promotes a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with managing and preserving common resources.

Weight: 400g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367693060