Beyond state and markets: leveraging global to local commons for development cooperation
Background
For decades, the debate on international cooperation has been centered around the question of whether more market (e.g. freedom of trade, privatization of public goods, reduction of services) or more state (e.g. strengthening of political institutions, legislative reforms) should be focal to the path of development. The perspective of the ‘commons’ as a third way is opening a door here to develop and practice new perspectives of development. The ‘Agence Française du Développement’ has already taken this step, and a lot of innovative potential has been uncovered. Switzerland should not be left behind in this new strategic move, but should be one of the pioneers of this implementation. Achievement of 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals is itself a global commons.
Objective
Develop the empirical and theoretical foundations for utilizing global to local commons as a frame in development cooperation, by means of reviewing 30 years of commons scholarship worldwide, conducting pilot studies in selected target countries and in intensive exchange with the French and Swiss development cooperation.
Expected Benefits
- In target country: Using the commons perspective for successful public-private partnerships in Swiss development cooperation.
- In Switzerland: A de-blocking of the development cooperation debate, away from the ideological trap in which the debates often take place. Using the commons perspective for successful public-private partnerships in Swiss development cooperation. This may result in more efficient development cooperation and add to the already extensive practical and widely regarded expertise of Swiss international cooperation and research in this field.
Contact Information
Christoph Oberlack, , +41-31-631-3061
Centre for Development and Environment, Institute of Geography, University of Bern
