Peace and Environment News* April 2000
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Peace and Environment News * April 2000 |
Common resources do not become privatized with the consent of the "common will," as Mike Kaulbars claims in his March Activist's Notebook. Privatization of the commons has always been forced on the people by an elite ruling class backed by a military. The Enclosure Movement in England in the 18th century put 12 million acres of common land under control of private landowners, and was resisted, but futilely, by those who were dispossessed. The Luddites in the 19th century mounted violent resistance to the industrial magnates who were destroying community bonds and values.
Our right to a stake in society and a voice in government was fought for by many brave people. It is a right that is perpetually at risk, as we can see from the attempts by corporations to destroy it through "free trade" agreements such as the MAI. The "Battle in Seattle" was a dramatic instance of this ongoing struggle, which continues quietly but insidiously as owning-class elites plan to take over our water, our land, and even our gene structure. It is not a "fact," as Kaulbars says, that "societies 'own' their resources in common." It is something we must fight for.
John and Margaret Jensen
Ottawa
Converted May 29, 2000 - Lg
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