Hannes Gerhardt: Compeerism as a Path from Capital to Commons
Sep 1, 2023
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Guest Hannes Gerhardt discusses his book 'From Capital to Commons' and the potential of compeerism to transition away from capitalism. They explore the role of technology, challenges of capitalism absorbing commons efforts, and the importance of protecting commons-based work. They also discuss alternative forms of quantification, creating non-bank-driven currency, empowering communities, and the potential for mass mobilization towards a commons-based society.
Hannes Gerhardt proposes 'compeerism' as a lens to explore counter-capitalist possibilities in technology and digital platforms.
The political project should focus on giving people more say in wealth distribution and promoting a transition towards a commons-based economy, leveraging the potential of technology.
Deep dives
Decentralizing Power and Empowering Communities
The speaker notes that people are generally open to embracing approaches that give them the power to make decisions and are skeptical of a top-down bureaucratic approach. However, the political realm has not focused enough on reframing the discourse towards decentralizing power and empowering communities. The speaker suggests that the political project should shift towards giving people more say in where wealth and resources go and promoting a transition towards a commons-based economy.
Exploring the Promise of a Post-Capitalist World
The speaker interviews Hannes Gerhard, a geography professor, about his book 'From Capital to Commons' which explores the promise of moving beyond capitalism. Gerhard's book examines how commoners can leverage digital technologies and open-source practices to create a post-capitalist world. It highlights the fading enthusiasm for experimentation due to big tech monopolies, digital surveillance, and social media disinformation, and explores the need for political and structural changes to facilitate a transition out of capitalism.
The Concept of Compurism and Its Political Implications
Gerhard introduces the concept of 'compurism', which refers to a movement or rationality that advocates for transforming the economy from one based on capitalism to one centered on fostering the commons. Compurism recognizes the importance of technology and digital platforms in this shift. It combines ideas from peer-to-peer production, the commons, and a political intentionality to challenge capitalism. While compurism emphasizes technology's potential, it also acknowledges the need for changes in governance structures to enable a successful transition.
Challenges and Lessons from Marxist Analysis and Anarchism
The speaker discusses the value and limitations of different ideological approaches such as Marxist analysis, anarchism, and democratic socialism. While each offers valuable insights, the speaker argues that compurism represents a distinct viewpoint. While critical of capital's ability to undermine commons-based efforts, compurism maintains a more optimistic and action-oriented perspective, seeking to leverage technology and engage in political projects to challenge capitalist structures. It highlights the importance of commons-based approaches and grassroots community engagement as distinct from top-down socialist approaches.
Hannes Gerhardt, a professor of geography at the University of West Georgia (US), talks about his new book, 'From Capital to Commons: Exploring the Promise of a World Beyond Capitalism', especially as it applies to digital technology and online life. While Big Tech monopolies have crushed the hopeful experimentation that once prevailed in Internet culture, Gerhardt argues that commoning and technology might engineer a transition away from capitalism through "compeerism," a lens that highlights the counter-capitalist possibilities. More on the commons: http://www.Bollier.org. Downloadable PDF transcript of this episode: https://www.bollier.org/files/misc-file-upload/files/Hannes_Gerhardt_Episode_42_transcript.pdf
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