The tragic African commons: A century of expropriation, suppression and subversion

Abstract

This paper examines the nature of the African commons as a property system; analyses the extent of damage which was inflicted upon it during one hundred years of exploitation, suppression and subversion; explains why, in spite of that damage, the commons have survived; and confronts the issue of what it will take to restore their legitimacy within, and guarantee their status in, positive law alongside other property systems.