... an admirable, even noble, vision... expresses very eloquently what will have to be done if humanity is to escape the current race towards disaster. ---Noam Chomsky, linguist, philosopher, political theorist, MIT

When the great Crash, ecologic or economic, comes, Heather Menzies' brilliant critique, will provide an understanding of why it came about, and a path towards a truly sustainable way for humanity to live on the planet.---David Suzuki, author of Wisdom of the Elders and The Sacred Balance

Reclaiming the Commons for the Common Good combines reflections on our common heritage with a contemporary call to action. Join author Heather Menzies as she journeys to her roots in the Scottish Highlands, sharing her intimate account of unearthing the heritage of the commons and the real tragedy of its loss. This engaging, groundbreaking memoir combines a detailed description of the self-organizing, self-governing and self-informing principles of this nearly forgotten way of life, including its spiritual practices and traditions. Menzies' unified vision for reclaiming the commons incorporates a number of current popular initiatives such as local food security, permaculture and community revitalization. Readers will be moved to embrace the commons ethos of empathy and mutual respect, and energized by the practical suggestions for connecting people and place for the common good.

...a splendid, lyrical book -- exciting, well-written, scholarly and inspirational all at once. ---Susan J. Buck, Ph.D., Past president, International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC)

A seamlessly argued alternative vision ---Ed Broadbent, Chair, the Broadbent Institute and former leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada

Heather Menzies is an award-winning writer and scholar, the author of nine books, including Whose Brave New World? and No Time, and was recently awarded the Order of Canada for her "contributions to public discourse."

Heather Menzies is an award-winning writer and scholar and the author of nine books, including Whose Brave New World? and No Time. She has been awarded an honourary doctorate and the Order of Canada for her "contributions to public discourse.? A mother and grandmother, a gardener and social-justice activist, Heather regularly contributes to journals and newspapers, and is in high demand as a speaker, offering a thoughtful critique of our disintegrating social fabric.

Table of Contents: A. Relations with the land:

The commoning ethos

'A field in good heart' & 'Right Relations'?

Engaging with the earth: green therapy; healing the nature deficit

Where 'property' came from

The changing meaning of 'commodity'

Moral Economy and Mixed Economy

Community gardens, food security

The 'box' of the status quo B. Commoning as self-organization & self-governance:

The Gabriola Community Commons

Self-governance in community development.

Sustainabilty (continuity and adaptability) as capacity building

Self-regulation: 'stinting' revisited to regulate the energy commons (350.org.)

Co-ops and the common good

Poly-centric governance C. Commoning Knowledge:

Insider's / 'in-dwelling' perspective

When head and hands work together

Experiential & expert knowledge: My knowledge, my life

Peer/participatory knowledge

Toward a knowledge/learners' common

The 'box' of expert knowledge D. Relations with Creation:

Presence to Presence, alive in all Creation

A common spiritual language

Anam Caras & First Nations elders

The common good as felt reality E. Relations with Ourselves:

Coming home to yourself: the 'box' of addiction, distraction & disconnection

Reclaiming the power of naming

Healing hands, healing pathways

The power of participation & sustainable people

Ongoing circles/cycles of capacity building F. A Commoning Manifesto:

Whistle blowing on job, in community

Casserole, sharivari, rough music & lex loci

Stinting applied locally and to commons of energy reserves

Occupy opportunities & 'reverse strike'

Scaling up and deepening in time as continuity