Commons & Public Goods

Monday, December 14, 2020 - 1:00pm
CST
Dario Azzellini & Nancy Holmstrom

The failures in the US response to the pandemic have made it painfully clear that we need a robust health care system universally available to all regardless of employment or income. That is, we need Medicare for All as a public good. Similarly the efforts to undermine the post office have made us aware of the importance of this long-standing public good. While similar to public goods in some ways, the commons can be understood as resources or institutions that, beyond the market and the state, are controlled and managed with active participation by the people involved--such as by communities, workers or users--thus pointing the way to social and ecological transformation.

Nancy Holmstrom and Dario Azzellini explore the ideas of the commons, and public goods and their present day relevance. Holmstrom is a philosopher who will unpack the idea of public goods as the core of a democratic society. Sociologist Azzellini will look at current movements around commons in the context of class struggles and a just transition.

Many public goods have been threatened with privatization by special interests that aim at profits for themselves. We have to struggle to preserve institutions that benefit everyone rather than a few. The resources that we all share are often vital to our lives. At least they contribute to a fuller, enhanced life. Today we are becoming increasingly aware of their value to us.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, October 11, 2025 - 3:00pm
CST
Location:
1º de Mayo #58, Colonia Aurora, San Miguel de Allende

In October 2024, we had our first artistic and cultural project to continue speaking about Palestine and to raise our voices in favor of the liberation of the Palestinian people and against the genocide being committed in Palestine.

... Read more
Monday, October 13, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Film Screening
Followed by discussion with Brad Rockwell
Location:
La Biblioteca, Teatro Santa Ana, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende

2025 Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary

Remarkable largely unknown footage of a dramatic turning point in world history covering events over three continents concerning a tragic coup in the Congo. Featuring: Maya Angelou, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy... Read more

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 12:00pm
CST
Organized by The Reentry Resource Program

You are invited to join a discussion with filmmaker Santiago Esteinou and Cesar Fierro about the new documentaryThe Freedom of Fierro.

César Fierro has just become a free man, and he needs to rebuild his life after being wrongly sentenced to death in Texas. César spent 40 years in prison before being released... Read more

Monday, November 3, 2025 - 1:30pm
CST
Joe Belden
Location:
La Biblioteca, Sala Quezal, Insurgentes 25, Centro, San Miguel de Allende
This mostly forgotten war led to Mexico losing over half its territory and the United States expanding to the Pacific. The lecture examines the political and economic background of the conflict, what led to it, and the roles of such factors as Texas annexation in 1845, slavery, racism, the Democratic and Whig parties, and Manifest... Read more