Common Understanding: The Commons in Literature

Abstract

"In general academic circles, the concept of commons is either completely unknown or familiar only as Hardins much-cited tragedy of the commons. Trying to explain 'commons' to academic colleagues requires a lengthy conversation, and nonacademics are even less knowledgeable. One hypothesis to explain this lack of familiarity is that although both fiction and creative non-fiction English (British and American) literature is often a vehicle for public understanding of political, social, and cultural contexts, the commons are rarely portrayed in either. When commons are portrayed, they are usually in the context of decline (fisheries) or conflict (enclosure). To test this hypothesis, relevant literature was identified by three methods. First, standard academic data bases were searched. Second, members of several academic associations were queried through the listservs about appropriate sources. Finally, academic colleagues were asked for suggestions. This process produced twenty-nine possible sources (books and authors). I looked at all of these and read most; seventeen proved relevant. The relevant sources were divided into four categories: commons throughout; commons as essential literary factors, commons in passing, and utopias. Only one reading fit 'commons throughout,' and two other readings dealt with commons in a substantial fashion. The search process confirmed a scarcity of literary portrayals of commons. Three possible explanations for this lack are the absence of enough conflict in sustainable CPR institutions to generate compelling plot lines; the success of enclosure advocates in defining commoners as lazy, ignorant peasants; and confusion of open-access systems with commons systems."