Commons As Spaces for Social, Cultural and Political Actions

In recent years the approach of Commons gained a strong growth. In a grand plurality many practical and theoretical projects emerged, trying to implement a social practice which is based on collaborative actions, need satisfaction for all and differs fundamentally from capitalist modes of socialization. In Western societies Commons can also be defined as an answer to the deconstruction of welfare state structures. People react to this policies not only with loud critique and demonstrations, but also by working on and implementing new forms of economic and social practices. The basic idea of Commons is the transformation of private property into community property. By this every member of the community has access to the Commons. Underneath this economic practice of using resources and goods for physical and psychological need satisfaction, lie multiple forms of social practices and interactions.

Commons are more than just a practices of sharing resources and goods. Commons offer opportunities for alternative forms of socialization. This means that it can less be described as a social movement, but a form of collaborative action, which tries to overcome the economic, cultural and social structures of capitalism.

Commons over a space or maybe spaces for more than just access to resources. They over spaces for social interaction, democratic participation and reflection. My interest lies in analyzing these spaces as important institutions, which have to be created, reproduced and defend towards capitalist enclosure not by state institutions but by social interactions of the Community members. Because of this spaces Commons (as a theoretical and practical approach) have got potential for implementing new or different forms of society, which base on solidarity and equality.