Decodification, common good, and responsible societies : beyond the Elinor Ostrom’s theory of governing the commons

Discussion with E. Ostrom’s theory is methodologically limited to governing the commons. Howev-er, the idea can be expanded, on the one hand by applying philosophical idea of common good and on the other hand, by introducing the theory of rule of law, and by taking into account the ongoing process of decodification in the Western legal orders. It is possible to make use of the presented perspective in developing responsible societies. In that approach there is much to be done within the issue of shaping the rule-making and rule-following processes as a part of the heritage that is trans-ferred between generations. The outcome of the study can reveal the rules possible to be applied on the state level