The Commons San Francisco

"There are three types of people in the world: 

those who can count, and those who can't."

The comedy line above says a lot about most of today's social and economic questions. Almost all experts interested in the human condition talk about the economy in two terms, Labor and Capital.

 Regrettably, they neglect or forget about a third aspect of the economy: The Commons.

The Commons is the key to alleviating poverty, purging corporations of their undue power, nourishing democratic values and institutions, and vaulting environmental protection into the people's purview. 

Next Events (click on these): Walking Tour 

Come Sail with us!

             Video:       Public Infrastructure and The Commons

a three minute 48 second youtube video

What We Do

We lead four-session seminars in The Principles of Economics. In eight hours of class time, participants get an overview of how the economy works. They understand why the economy's topsy-turvy when it is, and why there's so much acrimony and confusion regarding taxes.

In other words, participants are equipped to powerfully interpret social and environmental questions of the day. What's more, they perceive systemic solutions to environmental and social challenges.

We are commited to ending involuntary poverty, worldwide. Public policy featuring the commons can achieve that goal.

The next seminar is coming up,

Almost every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month!

Click on "The Seminars" page for more details.

What is The Commons?

The Commons includes everything not made by human beings, as well as the cultural infrastructure created by the public. That means not only land and water and other natural resources, but includes such things as the broadcast spectrum, taxi licenses, cap and trade quotas, and patents.

An understanding of the commons resolves most property rights matters, indicates what elements of the economy are best subject to taxation, and alleviates the worst of partisan politics.