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Top 10 Books on Governing the Commons
Explore these 10 essential books that delve into the complexities of governing shared resources and the challenges of sustainability.
Book Summaries
What's the Right Thing to Do
Michael J. Sandel's **"Justice"** invites readers to grapple with complex ethical dilemmas, making it a vital resource for understanding the moral dimensions of governance and the commons.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Justice requires examining moral dilemmas and their implications
- Utilitarianism: Maximizing happiness for the greatest number
- Libertarianism: Individual rights and self-ownership
In **"The Wisdom of Crowds,"** James Surowiecki explores how collective decision-making can lead to better outcomes than individual expertise. This book is essential for understanding the governance of shared resources and the power of community.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Collective wisdom surpasses individual expertise
- Diversity enhances group decision-making
- Independence is crucial for wise crowds
What's Become of the Common Good?
In **"The Tyranny of Merit,"** Michael J. Sandel critiques the meritocratic system that perpetuates inequality and undermines the common good. This thought-provoking book challenges readers to rethink how we govern societal resources and opportunities.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Meritocracy undermines social solidarity and fuels inequality
- The rhetoric of rising masks the reality of stagnant mobility
- Credentialism has become the last acceptable prejudice
Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality
Bob Joseph's **"21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act"** is an essential read for understanding the systemic governance issues faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. This book provides critical insights into the historical and ongoing impacts of colonial policies.
3 Key Takeaways:
- The Indian Act: A Tool of Assimilation and Control
- Denial of Rights and Cultural Suppression
- Residential Schools: A Legacy of Trauma
Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy
Stephanie Kelton's **"The Deficit Myth"** challenges conventional economic wisdom, arguing for a rethinking of how we manage public resources. This book is crucial for understanding the governance of economic systems and their impact on society.
3 Key Takeaways:
- The government is not constrained by revenue like a household
- Deficits are not inherently bad; inflation is the real constraint
- The national debt is not a burden on future generations
For the Many, Not the Few
In **"Saving Capitalism,"** Robert B. Reich argues for a rebalancing of economic power to ensure shared prosperity. This book is vital for understanding the governance of economic systems and their implications for the commons.
3 Key Takeaways:
- The "Free Market" Is a Myth: Government Creates and Enforces Market Rules
- Power Shapes the Market: Those with Influence Determine the Rules
- Property Rights Are Not Natural: They Are Defined by Law and Policy
Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society
Eric A. Posner's **"Radical Markets"** proposes innovative solutions to address inequality and inefficiencies in current systems. This book is crucial for rethinking governance structures in the context of shared resources.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Markets are powerful but flawed: A new approach is needed
- Property is monopoly: Common ownership self-assessed tax (COST) can help
- Quadratic Voting: A radical solution for collective decision-making
Edmund Burke, Thomas Paine, and the Birth of Right and Left
Yuval Levin's **"The Great Debate"** explores the foundational ideas of governance through the contrasting philosophies of Burke and Paine. This book is essential for understanding the ideological underpinnings of modern governance and the commons.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Burke and Paine: Architects of modern conservative and progressive thought
- Nature and history: Contrasting foundations for political philosophy
- Justice and order: Balancing ideals with practical governance
Guy Shrubsole's **"Who Owns England?"** uncovers the stark realities of land ownership in England, revealing how historical privileges continue to shape modern inequalities. This book is essential for understanding the governance of shared resources and the implications for social justice.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Land ownership in England remains highly concentrated and secretive
- The Crown and Church still own vast tracts of land, rooted in historical privilege
- Aristocratic families continue to dominate landownership despite societal changes
