From Capital to Commons: Exploring the Promise of a World beyond Capitalism

by Hannes Gerhardt

Overview

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title in Economics 2023.

In this stimulating analysis, Hannes Gerhardt outlines the potentials and challenges of a technology-enabled, commons-focused transition out of capitalism.

The book shows that openness and cooperation are more beneficial in today’s economies and societies than competition and profit-seeking. Driven by this conviction, Gerhardt identifies key imperatives for overcoming capitalism, from democratizing our digital, material, and financial economies to maintaining a robust, political mobilization. Using clear examples, he explores tactical openings through the lens of ‘compeerism’, a newly constructed framework that highlights the latent counter-capitalist possibilities, but also limits, of our emerging technological landscape.

This is an accessible contribution to counter-capitalist discourse that is both inspiring and pragmatic for academics and activists alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781529224542
Publisher:	Bristol University Press
Publication date:	11/12/2024
Series:	Alternatives to Capitalism in the 21st Century
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

Hannes Gerhardt is Professor of Geography at the University of West Georgia.

Table of Contents

Introduction

PART I: Contemporary Capitalism and the Promise of the Digital Revolution

1. Theorizing Capitalism and its Demise

2. The Digital Commons' Elusive Potential

3. Taking Back the Interest

PART II: The Material Economy and the Commons

4. Democratizing Infrastructure

5. The Promise of 'Design Global, Manufacture Local'

6. Contending With the Limits of Our Natural World

PART III: Money and Value

7. Coping With Money's Monopoly on Value

8. Reinventing Money's Role in the Economy

PART IV: In Pursuit of a Post-Capitalist Future

9. Compeerists of the World Unite!

10. A Compeerist Society

Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A thoughtful, ambitious vision for how commoners might leverage digital technologies and open-source practices to usher in a humane, satisfying post-capitalist world. In a time when people’s aspirations for a better world have shrivelled and curdled, Gerhardt invites us to consider the feasible possibilities, if we dare." David Bollier, Schumacher Center for a New Economics

"How do we prevent the appropriation of the commons by capital, and instead, generate capital for the commons? Hannes Gerhardt has written a very useful primer on the way forward.” Michel Bauwens, P2P Foundation

Editorial Reviews

"A thoughtful, ambitious vision for how commoners might leverage digital technologies and open-source practices to usher in a humane, satisfying post-capitalist world. In a time when people’s aspirations for a better world have shrivelled and curdled, Gerhardt invites us to consider the feasible possibilities, if we dare." David Bollier, Schumacher Center for a New Economics

"How do we prevent the appropriation of the commons by capital, and instead, generate capital for the commons? Hannes Gerhardt has written a very useful primer on the way forward.” Michel Bauwens, P2P Foundation

From the Publisher