The Commons and a New Global Governance

'Whereas the existing literature generally studies small-scale commons, this challenging book boldly - and successfully - engages in extrapolating this cooperation-based governance model to global resources. From democratic perspectives to institutional construction, its many contributions, written by prominent scholars in the field of commons or international law, critically introduce and renew the radical notion of commons and collective action by citizens, as vehicles for democratization, in global governance and international public law.'

- Séverine Dusollier, Sciences Po Law School, France

'Can we devise new systems of law and governance to support commons at the global level? This thoughtful collection of essays explores how we might address this vital challenge for humanity in the years ahead.'

- David Bollier, Schumacher Center for a New Economics, US

Given the new-found importance of the commons in current political discourse, it has become increasingly necessary to explore the democratic, institutional and legal implications of the commons for global governance today. This book analyses and explores the ground-breaking model of the commons and its relation to these debates.

Featuring original contributions from renowned scholars across the globe and analysis of Elinor Ostrom's fundamental work, this interdisciplinary book is organized into three main areas of inquiry: the commons as vehicles for the democratization of global governance, the role played by commons-based institutions in global governance and a more normative interrogation around what international law ought to look like to support the commons. Provocative and critical ideas about the current system of global governance act as a stimulus to explore further research and activism in the commons.

The first of its kind to offer a specific focus on the commons and global governance, this much-needed book will prove invaluable for academics in the humanities and social sciences including economists, political philosophers, political scientists and legal scholars. It will also appeal to policy-makers, concerned members of civil society and commons activists.

Contributors include: M. Bauwens, M. Beerkens, C. Boonen, N. Brando, J. Brunnée, S. Cogolati, C. Crombez, P. Dardot, T. De Moor, H. De Schutter, O. De Schutter, M. Deleixhe, T.R. Eimer, M. Groff, R. Hagen, S. Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, U. Mattei, P. Sauvêtre, J. Wouters