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Economics of Sustainability
John E. Ikerd, PhD.
Agricultural Economist
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Developing the conceptual foundation for an economically viable, ecologically sound, and socially responsible society.
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"Pursuit of individual wealth does not result in societal good -- in fact, it isn't even good for the wealthy."
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Books by John Ikerd
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Sustainable Capitalism: Over the past half-century, capitalist economics has deviated from its original ethical and social purpose. Recently, capitalism has mutated into an amoral quest for economic growth at any cost. A relentless pursuit of profits and the "bottom line" poses a constant threat to civil society and the natural environment. The sustainability, indeed survival, of earth and the life upon it, is at risk under this brand of unfettered capitalism.
In order to maintain a new economics of sustainability, social and ethical values must be reintegrated into capitalist economics, thus restoring a sense of balance into the economic system that ensures that communities the world over will benefit and thrive. Sustainable Capitalism: A Matter of Common Sense suggests how capitalism can become a vehicle for these ends.
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A Return to Common Sense American and global societies are in the midst of a great transition. This transition is a movement out of the industrial era, which has dominated Western thinking for the past 200 years, into a fundamentally different time in human history. During such transitions, old ways of thinking are no longer relevant but new ways have not yet been fully developed. During such times, our only means of finding truth is by relying on our common sense - our shared insights into what we know in our hearts to be real, true, right, and good. Our intelligent insight, our common sense, must provide the foundation of first principles upon which we can build a new science, a new economy, and a new society.
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Recent papers by the author justify the need for new economic thinking and help paint a positive vision for a sustainable human society. Issues addressed in these papers relate to the economics of sustainability, sustainable agriculture, sustainable rural communities, the industrialization of agriculture, the future of small farms, and food security.
John Ikerd, holds BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Economic. Ikerd worked in private industry and held faculty positions at four major Land Grant Universities between 1970 and 2000, prior to retiring from the University of Missouri.
In addition to the recent papers listed above, other writing pertaining to sustainable agriculture, economics, and related issues by the Ikerd are available in books, journals, university publications, popular articles, conference proceedings, and unpublished papers. Some unpublished papers are available from the author.
This paper, written as a chapter for a book, explains why current economic thinking is inadequate to address the issue of sustainability and suggests a comprehensive, common sense approach to developing a new "Economics of Sustainability."
Email me at: JEIkerd@centurytel.net
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