I find that the historical precedent of commons and allotments has many appealing safeguards built into it. And end to corporate buy ups and land speculation for instance. In leftist economic theory a distinction is usually made between personal property (stuff you use, your toothbrush etc) and private property (the means of production, agricultural land, factories etc held by individuals or companies for the purpose of exploitation).
It might serve a farmer to say over-exploit land and wear it out but a community that lives there, presumably having young people and children, are unlikely to feel that way. Similarly is a community unlikely to leave a field fallow because holding land that is not in use to later sell is very profitable. People invested in their personal property and local community, the business of living somewhere and presumably some of them farming the commons; they are still invested in paying attention to the environment and quality of the land.
You have probably heard of the tragedy of the commons but this was based off highly unusual transient conditions (sort of like the alpha wolf study) and historical evidence points to many enduring and stable arrangements. ian.umces.edu/…/the-triumph-of-the-commons-no-act… is a good primer and Ostrum, E’s work for further study if curious.
I am defs also keen on citizen’s assemblies, more democracy is awesome and evidence shows that true democracy (i.e. broad opinions and randomly drafted shmucks) consistently returns good results.
Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
Ah, Elinor Ostrum! Every damn time i run into her, i forget how to spell her first name!! I always type in Eleanor, and am confused when i get unexpected results!
I love her Triumph of the Commons stuff, it really helped identify some nigling problems i had with the Classical Economics arguments i’s listeningbto when i first heard about her work. Thanks for sending me across to her work again, i’ve enjoyed the reminder sesh today!
To the point about the farmer, i’d say it would have to be a fairly uncaring or stupid farmer to be that inattentive to their land that they wear it out. Even in the article about the Wombats we’re talking about a community of farmers who’ve been on the land for multiple generations, so while some of their members wombat killing practices are stuck in a colonial self centered mindset, their ongoing land use makes me assume not all their practices are stuck in time.
I’m interested to know how definitive your drawing the distinction between personal property and private property?
How would you say that gels with my emphasis for peoples personal agency including over the means of production and my belief that this gives stability over ones own life and becomes a driver of innovation and prosperity?
^Note, I’m currently in an ongoing pickle with the terms ‘growth’ and ‘productivity’. I’m not sure they capture a meaningful image of a Nation’s economic health. And am growing increasingly wary of using them. So thats why i use ‘prosperous’ here. It indicates success, without necessarily indicating ever increasing growth or productivity.^
naevaTheRat@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
I keep meaning to reply to this and never getting around to it. Now work is intensely busy and I can’t really do it justice.
Just wanted to apologise for dropping out from a rare nice lemmy convo.
Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 22 hours ago
Na! All good! It was a nice convo, glad i got to have a re-read of Elinor Ostram, i’m gona have to get her book one of these days!