John Ikerd
Hierarchy of Sustainable Values
In a previous post I explained the basic differences among economic, social, and ethical values. Economic values meet individual,...
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John Ikerd
- Aug 2
- 4 min
Systems within Systems
istinctions among levels are based on distinctive characteristics of the particular levels. Economies obviously reflect some of the...
John Ikerd
- Jul 14
- 4 min
Managing Sustainable Organizations
Industrial organizations are managed to maximize productivity and profits—through specialization and standardization—which facilitate...
John Ikerd
- Nov 10, 2021
- 6 min
Successful Small Family Farms: Myth or Reality?
Someone recently forwarded me a link to an opinion piece by freelance writer Sarah Mock that begins: “I tried to prove that small family...
John Ikerd
- Sep 13, 2021
- 5 min
The National Debt Deception
"Government spending is out of control! We can’t afford new government programs to rebuild infrastructure, mitigate climate change, or...
John Ikerd
- Aug 14, 2021
- 5 min
The Economic Realities of CAFOs
I don’t like watching videos of my own presentations, but I force myself to do it from time to time. I know how I feel about...
John Ikerd
- Jun 12, 2021
- 6 min
Some Thoughts on Racism and Patriotism
I have been reluctant to write about political issues since the 2020 presidential election. I had hoped some of the bitterness and...
John Ikerd
- Mar 25, 2021
- 6 min
Revelations of COVID-19—One Year Later
It has been a year now since COVID 19 was proclaimed a pandemic. Virtually everyone has experienced the disruption of the food system in...
John Ikerd
- Feb 21, 2021
- 5 min
Why Do We Need a Farm Bill?
Why do we need a “Farm Bill”? Farmers make up only 1.3% of the total U.S. population and even less than 10% of the population of counties...
John Ikerd
- Jan 21, 2021
- 3 min
A Green New Deal for Family Farms & Rural Communities
The "Green New Deal"[i] has been systematically demonized by corporate propaganda targeting rural America. Rural people have been led to...
John Ikerd
- Nov 24, 2020
- 3 min
A New Agenda for Farm Bill 2023
I have been writing a regular column for the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development for the past 10 years. My...
John Ikerd
- Nov 17, 2020
- 4 min
Four Years to Regroup
The election of 2020 is finally over. Yes, it is over. Joe Biden won and Donald Trump lost. This conclusion was not reached quickly or...
John Ikerd
- Oct 13, 2020
- 76 min
The American Covenant -- Collection of 12 Essays
This series of short essays makes a compelling case for returning the U.S. to the long, difficult journey toward "a more perfect union."
John Ikerd
- Sep 27, 2020
- 8 min
Can We Afford a New Bill of Rights?
How can the U.S. government pay the economic costs of fulfilling its responsibility to secure liberty and justice for all?
John Ikerd
- Sep 18, 2020
- 8 min
Reaffirming the American Covenant
If our democratic republic survives the November election, it will still not survive unless we reaffirm the American Covenant with God.
John Ikerd
- Sep 11, 2020
- 5 min
Government is Not a Business
“We need to run government like a business”--a common refrain in the U.S. But, governments and businesses have very different purposes.
John Ikerd
- Sep 3, 2020
- 7 min
"Make Us A King"
In democracies, the people consent to common values to guide government. In a monarchy, the individual values of the "king" are supreme.
John Ikerd
- Aug 28, 2020
- 5 min
Reclaiming the American Spirit
In the elections of 2020, Americans will decide whether we continue the quest toward a more perfect union or choose a different future.
John Ikerd
- Aug 7, 2020
- 12 min
The New Progressive Political Agenda
The skepticism of those with memories limited the past 40 years are understandable. The new progressive movement nonetheless holds promise.
John Ikerd
- Jul 30, 2020
- 7 min
Reparation and the Pursuit of Happiness
My previous blog post advocating reparation raised economic and political concerns about reparation. My proposal avoids these concerns.