The Commonist Horizon

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How do we transition from reactive strategies to transformative revolts that address the root causes of capitalist urbanization and promote alternative urban lifestyles? One proposed revolutionary alternative is the concept of the commons, where communities collectively manage the conditions of their daily lives. In a district behind the train station in post-socialist Vilnius, Lithuania, facing gentrification, an autonomous community center has embraced commoning as a means of resistance. This practice, rooted in the former state-socialist Eastern Bloc, critiques the enclosures that emerged after the fall of state-socialism while avoiding the negative connotations associated with that political era. The Commonist Horizon features five contributions from movement thinkers, beginning in Vilnius and expanding to other former state-socialist countries and beyond. Drawing from their experiences in social movements, the authors explore the process of creating urban commons, offering insights into the conceptual and political potentials and limitations of this terminology and its practices. Through collaborative reflection, they highlight the possibilities for building a more equitable urban environment.