Cosmolocalism: Understanding the Transitional Dynamics Towards Post-Capitalism

  • Alexandros Schismenos Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  • Vasilis Niaros Internet Interdisciplinary Institute, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona; P2P Lab, Ioannina.
  • Lucas Lemos Tallinn University of Technology
Keywords: universalism, cosmopolitanism, cosmolocalism, commons, direct democracy

Abstract

Over the last decades, the proliferation of ICTs and capitalist markets has created a new social-historical reality for communication, production and societal organisation, while social inequality has deepened. In this context, alternative forms of organisation based on the commons have emerged, challenging the core values of capitalism. Within this new form of egalitarian and transnational collaborative networks, a new concept of social coexistence has been proposed: cosmolocalism. This article presents the genealogy of cosmolocalism and compares it to previous conceptual universalist reconfigurations, namely cosmopolitanism and internationalism. While the current discourse on cosmolocalism focuses on production and distribution, its political dynamics and limitations remain unexplored. Our ultimate goal is to open a path of inquiry for further reflection and deliberation.

Published
2020-09-21
Section
Articles