The Tragic African Commons: A Century of Expropriation, Suppression, and Subversion

Abstract

"This piece examines the nature of the African Commons as a property system; analyses the extent of damage which was inflicted upon it during one hundred years of exploitation, suppression and subversion; explains why, inspite of that damage, the Commons have survived; and confronts the issue of what it will take to restore their legitimacy within, and guarantee their status in, positive law alongside other property systems."