Abstract

In the wake of socialism’s demise and liberalism’s loss of direction, new ideas are needed for the next major realignment of the social and political domain. Making a unique contribution to the idea of ‘the commons’, this book offers a radical form of direct democracy with real-world implications. But whereas much of the current scholarship has looked at the commons from the perspective of governance, this book instead focuses on ‘commoning’ as social practice. 

Perspectives on Commoning argues that the commons are not just resources external to us, but are a function or characterisation of what we do. Thus, we can talk of the act of commoning, positioning our behaviour beyond the domains of the private and the public, beyond the dichotomy of capitalism versus socialism.

Covering everything from biopolitics to urban spaces, this impressive range of international contributors address the commons as both theory and history, providing a useful review of current conceptions as well as practical proposals for the future. A unique consolidation of philosophy, sociology and economics, the book shows how a new understanding of the commons as practice will help to achieve its full emancipatory potential.

‘Drawing on history, political theory, economics, culture and contemporary activism, this collection explores the great promise of the commons in helping to build a new and better world.’
David Bollier, author of Think Like a Commoner

‘An important and stimulating book. Its central notions of commons and “commoning” offer the potential for currently disparate movements to come together, both conceptually and politically.’
Jan Douwe van der Ploeg, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

‘A rich and innovative selection. It offers both conceptual and practical resources for thinking about and enacting the forms of sharing that will be needed as the neoliberal edifice fractures and dissolves.’
Jack Kloppenburg, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Emeritus)

Guido Ruivenkamp is an associate professor of sociology and anthropology at Wageningen University, and extraordinary professor at the University of Humanistic Studies in Utrecht. His previous books include Reconstructing Biotechnologies: Critical Social Analyses (co-author, 2008), and Biotechnology in Development: Experiences from the South (2008).

Andy Hilton works in Istanbul as an ELT instructor, English language editor and proof-reader. He has collaborated on a number of articles and research pieces on Turkey and the commons.