Securing the commons in an era of privatisation : policy and legislative challenges
Cotula, Lorenzo
For the purposes of this document, the "commons" are very broadly defined as natural resources over which several users have overlapping rights of simultaneous or sequential use, irrespective of the economic nature of the resource whether "common pool" or not) and of the property regime formally applicable to it (i.e. even if legally owned by the state). This includes, among other things, water, fisheries, forestry, wildlife, pasture and genetic resources. Within this context, land rights and tenure are key: a) because land itself may be held/used in common (e.g. grazing lands); and b) because, even if it is not, rights over land and rights over the "common" natural resources located on it (e.g. forestry) are closely linked. In practice, rather than a dichotomy between common and private/state property, many systems to manage the commons entail a blend of different property regimes, including elements of common, private and state property. The report covers the commons in both Africa and Europe. Indeed, far form being "backward" systems relegated to Africa, as often assumed by some in development circles, the commons are alive also in Europe, where they contribute to the livelihoods of many people in rural areas (interventions by Wightman and Marin, on Scotland and Norway, respectively).
Event: Conference on Land in Africa : Market Asset or Livelihood Security?
Only personal, non-commercial use of this document is allowed.