Introduction

An epoch in modern history has ended. The growth imperative of market capitalism is evidently endangering the ecosystem. Confidence in governments as reliable steward of people's interests has been shaken. Therefore, a new path forward is coming into focus: The commons! The commons is about reclaiming, sharing and self-governing resources that belong to everyone. As a form of governance it is defending traditional or building new social and institutional systems for managing our resources – water and land, knowledge and seeds, genes and the atmosphere – based on the principles of equity and sustainability. The commons is a practical means for re-inventing society in ways that markets and governments are unable or unwilling to entertain. Commons does not mean resources alone are centre stage, of higher importance are the relationships among us, the commoners, our ways of commoning!

Publication

The Commons - Prosperity by Sharing

October 29, 2010 - This report attempts to explore the potential of the commons if they are used wisely and sustainably. It delves into the reasons why so many commons are threatened and examines the rules that can help protect the commons from ruin. This article provides also a french version of the report. By Silke Helfrich, Rainer Kuhlen, Wolfgang Sachs, Christian Siefkes more»

Beyond State Capitalism: The Commons Economy in our Lifetimes

- October 29, 2010 - In considering the essential problem of how to produce and distribute material wealth, virtually all of the great economists in Western history have ignored the significance of the commons - the shared resources of nature and society that people inherit, create and utilize.  By James Bernard Quilligan more»

The new triarchy: the commons, enterprise, the state

- 29. Oktober 2010 - It is customary to divide society into three sectors, and what we want to show is how the new peer to peer dynamic unleashed by networked infrastructures, changes the inter-relationship between these three sectors.  mehr»

Manifesto

Strengthen the Commons – Now!

- Awareness of the commons requires a fundamental shift in thinking about the foundations of society. It means using, sharing, and multiplying our common wealth in a free and self-determined way. Our society needs a great debate and a worldwide movement for the commons. Now!
By Yochai Benkler more»

Audio

Lawrence Lessig on Copyright Wars

- Prof. Lawrence Lessig spoke at the Heinrich Böll Foundation's "Spielstand Spezial" event on Copyright Wars. Enjoyment and Discomfort in a Digital Culture. more»

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Constructing a Commons-Based Policy Platform - Introduction and Objectives

October 27, 2010 - The International Commons Conference will bring together about 150 leading figures in commons-based studies and activism for a multidisciplinary, international conference. The general objective is to emerge at the end of the conference with a set of principles and long-term goals that can foster the planning and development of commons based organisations and policy as well as their networking capacity.  more»

Agenda of the International Commons Conference

- October 27, 2010 - Find here the complete programme of the conference. See also the Wiki of the Conference to read papers, propaosals and documents sent in by participants. more»

Recommended Readings and Papers for the International Commons Conference

- October 29, 2010 - Find here publications on the conference and papers sent in by conference participants. more»

Speech

International Commons Conference - Opening Speech by David Bollier

- November 1, 2010 - In future years, we may look back on this conference as an historic moment when a diverse global corps of commoners began to reinvent a very old – but very new – worldview, the commons.  more»

Speech

Barbara Unmüßig: Opening Speech of the International Commons Conference

- November 1, 2010 - Protecting and reclaiming the commons could be more than just a theoretical experiment – it could provide a catalyst for transition to a post-fossil era in which people actively help shape their lives and the environment they live in – as commoners through commoning.  more»