Defining the Commons

From Peer Production and Commons Theory Course

The commons as an ancient paradigm of human generativity: anthropology, evolutionary sciences, Roman law, Magna Carta, English and European commons. [John Clippinger, Peter Linebaugh, Lewis Hyde]

Varieties of commons: natural resources, social systems, civic spaces, digital communities

The commons as a socio-economic mode of production that is neither governmental nor market-based – an activity that combines resource, community and social protocols to meet collective needs in a different way.

The Internet as a hosting infrastructure for digital commons (Internet history, design protocols, net neutrality).