George Monbiot writes that we have foolishly reduced human society to two elements: the state and the market. In fact, human society consists of four elements: the State, the Market, the Household and the Commons. We sometimes consider the value of the Household. But we have completely forgotten about the Commons:
That it is necessary to explain the commons testifies to their neglect (despite the best efforts of political scientists such as the late Elinor Ostrom). A commons is neither state nor market. It has three main elements. First a resource, such as land, water, minerals, scientific research, hardware or software. Second a community of people who have shared and equal rights to this resource, and organise themselves to manage it. Third the rules, systems and negotiations they develop to sustain it and allocate the benefits.
A true commons is managed not for the accumulation of capital or profit, but for the steady production of prosperity or wellbeing. It belongs to a particular group, who might live in or beside it, or who created and sustain it. It is inalienable, which means that it should not be sold or given away. Where it is based on a living resource, such as a forest or a coral reef, the commoners have an interest in its long-term protection, rather than the short-term gain that could be made from its destruction.
The commons have been attacked by both state power and capitalism for centuries. Resources that no one invented or created, or that a large number of people created together, are stolen by those who sniff an opportunity for profit. The saying, attributed to Balzac, that “behind every great fortune lies a great crime” is generally true. “Business acumen” often amounts to discovering novel ways of grabbing other people’s work and assets.
A vibrant commons reduces inequality because certain assets are collectively owned. When collective assets -- schools, airports, public lands -- are sold off to the highest bidder, everyone becomes poorer. Canada's new Infrastructure Bank is built on that principle. In my own province, a large portion of a public utility -- Ontario Hydro -- is being sold off to private investors.
The bottom line is this: When a government tells you it will decrease inequality while it sells off public assets, you're being lied to. Today's image is of The Boston Common.
Image: landscapenotes.com
