The Cavalese Commons!

Skiing the Alps near Cavalese

After a 4-day hiatus in Salzburg, Austria, our Econ 315 journey continues! Unfortunately many battled viruses during our trip to Salzburg, but we are slowly recovering. We arrived in Cavalese, prepared to ski the Alps and study the unique common property institution that Cavalese operates under.

Cavalese is a foresting town nestled at the foot of the Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy. The local timber includes a unique red fir used for making violins. Rather than public or private ownership of this land, Cavalese forestland has operated as a commons for the past 900 years.  Their common property regime, the Communita di Fiemme, has managed the biodiversity and business of the region since the 1100s. Each year, they gain more forest as their sustainable practices prevent them from over exploiting the land. We were able to hear several key members of the Magnifica Communita di Fiemme speak, and took a picture with it’s president. 

The Communita di Fiemme is a local institution built up of community members who make decisions regarding how much wood its members should forest, and what types. Poor land management would result in environmental harm, and would break the economy that supports this entire town. Responsible exploitation is what has kept the commons successful for so many years – the members of this commons make a substantial profit. Membership to the commons is highly restricted – one must have lived in the area for 20 consecutive years, or have been born there in Cavalese.

Common property should be understood as shared private property – it is truly unlike anything we have in America. American property is viewed as publicly or privately owned, with the assumption that this is most efficient. The article Dan and I recently read nullified the argument that common property is a relic of the past, and seeing Cavalese has proved that. The common property regime is woven into the community and the land, and the historical precedent gives the institution legitimacy within the community.

Palace of the Magnifica Communita di Fiemme

I do not think enough people could ever agree in an American community to create a commons. The federal government is too distant to run such a unique type of property, and private parties are too invested in maximized self-wealth.  The beauty of the commons is that it is about the wealth of the community, and the health of the environment. 

We arrived in Sicily (our final Italian stop) two days ago! Unfortunately this trip is coming to a close but we still have Paris before we head home!