Omnia Sunt Communia

This book reveals the potential for radical transformation contained in a conceptualisation of the commons as a set of social systems, rather than just common goods.

In this weaving of radical political economy, Omnia Sunt Communia sets out the steps to postcapitalism. By conceptualising the commons not just as common goods but as a set of social systems, Massimo De Angelis shows their pervasive presence in everyday life, mapping out a strategy for total social transformation.

From the micro to the macro, De Angelis unveils the commons as fields of power relations - shared space, objects, subjects - that explode the limits of daily life under capitalism. He exposes attempts to co-opt the commons, through the use of code words such as 'participation' and 'governance', and reveals the potential for radical transformation rooted in the reproduction of our communities, of life, of work and of society as a whole.

An ambitious and path-breaking work. While he introduces us to the main theorists of the commons, De Angelis also explores new ground. It makes for a powerful and challenging book that all educators and activists in movements for social justice should read.

Auteur
Massimo de Angelis is Emeritus Professor at the University of East London, UK. He is the founding Editor of the web journal The Commoner (Thecommoner.org) and author of I numerous articles on commons and their role in the transformation of capitalism. His books include The Beginning of History (2007) and Omnia Sunt Communia: On the Commons and the Transformation to Post Capitalism (2017).

Texte du rabat

In this weaving of radical political economy, Omnia Sunt Communia sets out the steps to postcapitalism. By conceptualising the commons not just as common goods but as a set of social systems, Massimo De Angelis shows their pervasive presence in everyday life, mapping out a strategy for total social transformation. From the micro to the macro, De Angelis unveils the commons as fields of power relations - shared space, objects, subjects - that explode the limits of daily life under capitalism. He exposes attempts to co-opt the commons, through the use of code words such as 'participation' and 'governance', and reveals the potential for radical transformation rooted in the reproduction of our communities, of life, of work and of society as a whole.

Contenu
Introduction Part One: Commons as systems 1. Common goods 2. Systems 3. Elements Part Two: From Elinor Ostrom to Karl Marx 4. Commons governance 5. The money nexus and the commons formula Part Three: Commoning: the source of grassroots power 6. Mobilising social labour for commoning 7. The production of autonomy, boundaries and sense Part Four: Social change 8. Boundary commoning 9. Commons and capital/state 10. Towards postcapitalism