EcoJustice Dictionary



Commons

The commons represent both the naturals systems (water, air, soil, forests, oceans, etc.) and the cultural patterns and traditions (intergenerational knowledge ranging from growing and preparing food, medicinal practices, arts, crafts, ceremonies, etc.) that are shared without cost by all members of the community; nature of the commons varies in terms of different cultures and bioregions; what has not been transformed into market relationships; the basis of mutual support systems and local democracy; in the modern world the commons may be managed and thus kept from becoming enclosed through private and corpoate ownership by being managed by local and national government—municipal water systems and state and national parks are contemporary examples of the commons.

 
Last updated on November 19, 2005
©c-a-bowers.com (2024)

Total Visitors: 13069