Definition
The commons refer to resources that are collectively used, shared, and governed by a community, as well as the social relations that organise the use, production, and management of these resources.
Scope
The commons can take different forms, including natural resources (forests, water), material means of production (land, infrastructure), and immaterial assets such as knowledge and software. These resources are generally accessible to members of a community and are governed according to principles of reciprocity, solidarity, and collective responsibility.
Distinction
The commons differ from private and state property in the following ways:
Resources are based on collective use rather than individual ownership.
Governance is carried out through community-based mechanisms rather than centralised authorities.
Use is organised according to social needs rather than market logic.
In this sense, the commons represent a form of organisation that exists beyond both market and state structures.
Historical example
Historically, the commons have existed in the form of shared land and natural resources in agrarian communities. In the contemporary period, open-source software projects, digital knowledge-sharing networks, and community-based production models have emerged as new forms of the commons.
Evaluation
The commons hold the potential to offer alternative forms of social and economic organisation beyond capitalist relations. However, their sustainability is often challenged by market pressures, state interventions, and processes of enclosure.