Abstract
This article looks at the rise of commons based economic governance. The last several hundred years has seen the rise and eventual triumph of capitalism, founded on positivist contractual law and the spirit of individualistic enterprise. Our contemporary sustainability crisis, however, puts the assumed trajectory of neo-liberal economic governance in question. As an alternative, the idea of commons based economic governance (CBEG) is put forward as one of a number of possible successors to neo-liberalism in the years to come. This article looks at the emergence of this economic orientation, considering history, trends, issues and possibilities in its unfolding.
Keywords: Commons, Positivist Law, Common Pool Resources, Natural Resources, Digital Commons, Social Commons, Peer-Production, Life Support Systems.