Tag: the commons

Infographics: Systemic Alternatives.. Ecofem.. Degrowth.. Commons.. Vivir Bien.. Mother Earth

from  ..systemic alternatives

An impressive series of infographics has been produced, showing the variety of complementary ideas challenging the global domination of industrial capitalism. The illustrations cover degrowth, ecofeminism, deglobalization, the commons, the Vivir Bien movement and the concept of the rights of Mother Earth.  Says the website: “To build systemic alternatives it is necessary to forge strategies and proposals that at different levels confront capitalism, extractivism, productivism, patriarchy, plutocracy and anthropocentrism”.   Acorninfo

Continue reading “Infographics: Systemic Alternatives.. Ecofem.. Degrowth.. Commons.. Vivir Bien.. Mother Earth”

Barcelona’s Complex Struggle to Advance the Commons

On a visit to Barcelona last week, I learned a great deal about the City’s pioneering role in developing “the city as a commons.”  I also learned that crystallizing a new commons paradigm – even in a city committed to cooperatives and open digital networks – comes with many gnarly complexities.

The Barcelona city government is led by former housing activist Ada Colau, who was elected mayor in May 2015.  She is a leader of the movement that became the political party Barcelona En Comú (“Barcelona in Common”). Once in office,Image result for barcelona commons

Colau halted the expansion of new hotels, a brave effort to prevent “economic development” (i.e., tourism) from hollowing out the city’s lively, diverse neighborhoods. As a world city, Barcelona is plagued by a crush of investors and speculators buying up real estate, making the city unaffordable for ordinary people. Continue reading “Barcelona’s Complex Struggle to Advance the Commons”

Exploring the Commons, 1. Open Assemblies, now and in History.

–  “The assembly is a central part of the Spanish left tradition. Social movements have always seen themselves through the prism of assemblies.”

open assembly in Catalunya

We don’t mean controlled school assemblies, much less those of religious sects, who use the form just for a semblance of participation without the danger of maybe taking a vote.

We mean real assemblies.. to sit around in a circle with no fixed agenda and no attempt to control, talking things out until decisions can normally be reached by consensus.

The Spanish 15M movement evolved from occupying Squares to hundreds of local assemblies, which in turn set off thousands of community initiatives. The beauty of a real assembly is that no one can take power, and predatory Parties, Unions and egoistic self seeking ‘leaders’ get sidelined, allowing revolutionary energy to flow.

Continue reading “Exploring the Commons, 1. Open Assemblies, now and in History.”

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