We’re Surrounded by Crises. What’s Stopping Us from Acting?

Michel Rauchs examines the interlinked environmental, economic, and social crises confronting contemporary society, arguing that these challenges constitute a broader metacrisis rooted in systemic flaws of our dominant institutions and growth-driven economic models. While traditional state and market responses have largely failed to address these issues holistically, Rauchs suggests that widespread disillusionment may signal a latent desire for meaningful change. He proposes the Commons—a model of community-driven, participatory resource management—as an alternative that empowers local action, fosters social cohesion, and offers a regenerative path forward.