Omnia Sunt Communia: On the Commons and the Transformation to Postcapitalism

by Massimo De Angelis

In this weaving of radical political economy, Omnia Sunt Communia sets out the steps to postcapitalism. By conceptualising the commons not just as common goods but as a set of social systems, Massimo De Angelis shows their pervasive presence in everyday life, mapping out a strategy for total social transformation.

From the micro to the macro, De Angelis unveils the commons as fields of power relations – shared space, objects, subjects – that explode the limits of daily life under capitalism. He exposes attempts to co-opt the commons, through the use of code words such as 'participation' and 'governance', and reveals the potential for radical transformation rooted in the reproduction of our communities, of life, of work and of society as a whole.

Genres: Economics, Politics, Sociology, Nonfiction, Philosophy

456 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2017

About the author

Massimo De Angelis is Professor of Political Economy and Social Change at the Department of Social Sciences and Social Work, Cass School of Education and Communities., University of East London. He does research in participatory social and economic change, commons and social movements.

Reviews

[Kevin Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://c4ss.org/content/50864

[Félix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très bien argumenté, très bien organisé!

[Geert Hofman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid and well researched book. It pre-supposed some knowledge of the commons literature and left leaning economic theory. At times it was also rather dull and overly explicative which made it sometimes hard to read.

If you want to be informed about commons and don't mind some academic and/or activist language this is a must read. The author really tries hard to give a systemic view on an important topic (commons) and tries to formalize his change theory by using not always enlightening graphic schemes.

If you want a page turner with great stories and juicy examples, this book is not for you.

[Ann Deraedt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik ben niet verder dan hoofdstuk 2 geraakt. Moeilijk te lezen Engels voor mij.
Inhoudelijk wel bijgeleerd; ik heb tenminste een beter begrip over De Commons en kennis gemaakt met een classificatie. Inzicht in het boek had ik dankzij de Meetup leesgroep. Zo kon ik het boek leren plaatsen in een economisch historische context.

[diamantina]

i have such a small brain