Introduction to the Commons
Our five-part launch series for newcomers and curious readers
Are you new to the Commons and curious to learn more? Or would you like to see familiar ideas from a fresh perspective?
We’ve prepared a special series for you that introduces the Commons as an actionable, community-led alternative for shaping a different kind of economy—one that puts communities back in charge and works in service of people and planet, rather than the other way around.
Across five articles, we explore the Commons from multiple angles: what it really means, how it works, what tools and mechanisms it uses, how communities around the world are already putting it into practice, and, finally, how you can get involved.
Each piece can be read on its own, but together they build the case for restoring the Commons as a vital foundation in the great transition toward a life-affirming civilisation.
Part 1:
We’re Surrounded by Crises. What’s Stopping Us from Acting?
Tl;dr: We are facing an overlapping set of crises that our dominant institutions seem unable to address. While many have withdrawn in disillusionment, their latent desire for change can be redirected toward the Commons: a real, actionable alternative grounded in community-driven systems of provisioning.
Part 2:
What Is the Commons—And Why Does It Matter Today?
Tl;dr: For historical and cultural reasons, the Commons has remained largely overlooked or misunderstood. But today, it’s more important than ever to restore it as a vital third mode of provisioning—one that complements and moderates both markets and governments.
Part 3:
Tools for Flourishing Commons
Tl;dr: How can commoners fund themselves, protect what they’ve built, cultivate active participation, and grow their impact without losing their human scale? This piece explores a diverse set of tools—economic and financial, legal and governance, social and cultural—that help communities build resilient systems designed t…
Part 4:
The Commons in Practice: Case Studies From Around the World
Tl;dr: From alpine pastures and salmon fisheries to offshore wind farms and online encyclopedias, commons take many forms. This article explores a wide range of real-world commons that span geographies, culture, and domains.
Part 5:
The Return of the Common(er)s
Tl;dr: Now is the time to transcend the failing systems around us—not by fighting them, but by quietly building something better. This closing article explores how an alternative social and economic order is forming through an emerging network of countless local initiatives—and offers practical entry points for anyone to take part.