The tragedy of the private: Theft, property, and the loss of a commons

In a world of escalating climate crisis, metastasizing market logic, structural racism, growing inequality, and a global pandemic, this essay argues, the tragedy is not one of the commons, but one of the private. The relentless capitalist focus on self-interest rather than common good, on efficiency rather than resilience, on more rather than better, on the private over the public, has brought societies and ecosystems alike to the breaking point. As COVID-19 has helped us rediscover, wellbeing instead depends on a healthy commons—resilience, reciprocity, solidarity, and sharing. The essay ends with practical suggestions as to how to move in the direction of an economy squarely focused on wellbeing of people and planet.

Duke Scholars

Author Dirk Philipsen Sanford School of Public Policy