On the Commons
Encyclopedia
On the Commons is a network of citizens and organizations, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States
, working to highlight the importance of the commons
in the modern world.
On the Commons promotes commons-based solutions for environmental restoration, social justice
, and other global and community initiatives.
Clean air, fresh water, the Internet
, parks, libraries, scientific knowledge, and cultural treasures are all examples of contemporary commons. All people are entitled to equal access to these resources, and are intened to benefit from maintaining that open access. On the Commons works to protect the commons from modern trends of privatization, commercialization and environmental destruction.
On the Commons has introduced economic and political policies (including Peter Barnes
’ “cap and dividend
” theory), launched community projects, and encouraged grassroots
local action. Its focus reaches into a wide range of fields: ecology, technology, education, community, the arts, economics, politics and human interactions.
Noted writer and scholar Lewis Hyde
, David Bollier
and Canadian water-rights activist Maude Barlow
are members of On the Commons.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, working to highlight the importance of the commons
The commons
The commons is terminology referring to resources that are owned in common or shared between or among communities populations. These resources are said to be "held in common" and can include everything from natural resources and common land to software. The commons contains public property and...
in the modern world.
On the Commons promotes commons-based solutions for environmental restoration, social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, and other global and community initiatives.
Clean air, fresh water, the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, parks, libraries, scientific knowledge, and cultural treasures are all examples of contemporary commons. All people are entitled to equal access to these resources, and are intened to benefit from maintaining that open access. On the Commons works to protect the commons from modern trends of privatization, commercialization and environmental destruction.
On the Commons has introduced economic and political policies (including Peter Barnes
Peter Barnes (entrepreneur)
Peter Barnes is an American entrepreneur, environmentalist, and journalist.-Early life:Barnes grew up in New York City. He earned a B.A. in history from Harvard University and an M.A. in government from Georgetown.-Journalist:...
’ “cap and dividend
Cap and dividend
Cap and Dividend is a market-based trading system which retains the original capping method of cap and trade, but also includes compensation for energy consumers...
” theory), launched community projects, and encouraged grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
local action. Its focus reaches into a wide range of fields: ecology, technology, education, community, the arts, economics, politics and human interactions.
Noted writer and scholar Lewis Hyde
Lewis Hyde
Lewis Hyde is a scholar, essayist, translator, cultural critic and writer whose scholarly work focuses on the nature of imagination, creativity, and property.-Early life:...
, David Bollier
David Bollier
David Bollier is an American activist, writer, and policy strategist. He is co-founder of the , Senior Fellow at the Norman Lear Center at the USC Annenberg School for Communication, and writes technology-related reports for the Aspen Institute...
and Canadian water-rights activist Maude Barlow
Maude Barlow
Maude Victoria Barlow is a Canadian author and activist. She is the National Chairperson of The Council of Canadians, a citizens’ advocacy organization with members and chapters across Canada. She is also the co-founder of the , which works internationally for the human right to water...
are members of On the Commons.