Anthropology Colloquium: Gustav Peebles

Abstract: Histories of the destruction of Commons abound. Consequently, many think of Commons as being, ipso facto, weak in the face of capitalist expansion. Against this frequent belief of the Commons’ weakness, this paper argues that central bank currency systems represent a range of ever-expanding and consequential Commons that, paradoxically, continue to not only grow under capitalism, but sustain and nurture it. To make this claim about systematic sharing at the heart of capitalism, the article first recounts the centralization of private money hoards into pooled, national, currency reserves; second, it offers comparisons between central bank currency systems and other Ostromian Commons, in order to illuminate this forgotten, yet immensely powerful, Commons that exists at the heart of everyday life. 

This is a hybrid event, taking place online and in person in Room 5417 at the CUNY Graduate Center. For both in-person and online registration, please visit: https://cuny-peebles.eventbrite.com

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