Plurality of meaning in the commons: Mapuche look towards the defense of waters

Abstract

The paper reviews the concept of ‘indigenous pluriverse’ developed by A. Escobar and M. De la Cadena. The goal of this research is to contribute to the debate about commons according to E. Ostrom. The research is based on a specific case; the projection of hydroelectric plants in Mapuche territory and the corresponding associated socio-cultural conflict. An important part of the research is focused on reviewing the term ngen (owner of the space), with which the communities have articulated defenses of the water systems in different points of Wallmapu. The finding of this article is that the classic notion of the common good must be criticized and opened up to broader conceptions of meaning, and that such a step also requires a critical look at the political.