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What Others Are Saying about Agenda for a New Economy
About the Updated and Expanded Second Edition:

"Korten billiantly explains the fundamental flaws in Wall Street's phantom wealth economy so clearly that it is hard to remember not understanding it before haing read this book. Then, even better, he provides a way out of this mess. It’s time for a fundamentally new economic model—Agenda for A New Economy is a much needed roadmap for those ready to get started.”
--Annie Leonard, author and host of The Story of Stuff

"David Korten pinpoints the solutions to our economic troubles not on Wall Street but on a Main Street near you. He maps out a fascinating alternative path away from risk and bust and toward a wider prosperity. A thought-provoking, comprehensive, and readable reappraisal of the great economic and market challenge of our time."
—David Brancaccio, PBS host
"Finally a bold Obama--era agenda that soars above the mild reforms that are grabbing daily headlines and actually meets the daunting challenges posed by the Wall Street and planetary crises.Korten's agenda offers a fresh and comprehensive new economy framework to solve the problems.
—John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Policy Studies and coeditor of Alternatives to Economic Globalization
“In this new edition of his groundbreaking book, David Korten steps up with a new, practical and energizing guide we all can use to transform today’s economic disaster into a Living Democracy.”
“Faith communities at their best help us see and believe in what is possible, and help us face inconvenient truths and uncomfortable realities. At their worst, faith communities kill dreams and reinforce fantasies. David Korten's new book can help all of us who lead and participate in faith communities to fulfill our best potential and stop playing to our worst. It's urgent, important, clear, and downright inspiring, and it challenges us to pursue what is excellent, mature, and real.”
“We all know the dominant economy is not working for people or the planet, but don't know how to get from here to a better way. What I love about this edition of Agenda for a new Economy is that David Korten brings together previously fragmented ideas about how to move forward into a compelling, cohesive framework for personal, community and government action. This book will get you from ‘yes, but how?’ to ‘yes, and here's how’. Start reading immediately – our future depends on it.”
“David Korten’s second edition of Agenda for the New Economy updates and strengthens an already timely and insightful book. No one has done a better job at bringing together the multiple crises—economic, environmental, social, political—in which we find ourselves today. His vision of the path forward is clear and compelling.”
About the First Edition
"Korten turns conventional economic thinking upside down and inside out. This book reveals what is really going on in the U.S. and global economies - and what can and should be done about it."
—Van Jones; author, The Green Collar Economy
“The most important book to emerge thus far on the economic crisis. David Korten provides real solutions.”
--Peter Barnes, cofounder of Working Assets and author of Capitalism 3.0
“David Korten tells the truth like no one else — a truth our planet needs us to hear.”
—Marjorie Kelly, cofounder, Corporation 20/20; founding editor, Business Ethics magazine; and author of The Divine Right of Capital
"Korten has zeroed in on the real problem of Wall Street and how to stop the plunder and pillaging of our economy."
—Edward Winslow, founder of Protect Money Investments and author of Blind Faith
“At last, a book by one of our most brilliant economic thinkers that outlines the real causes of—and solutions to—the current economic crisis! David Korten has devoted his professional life to analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the global economic system. Now he draws on his extensive knowledge to inspire us, we the people, to take actions that will create a more just and sustainable world for ourselves and future generations.
—John Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man and The Secret History of the American Empire
“David Korten has provided an economic blueprint for the 21st century. Just as the global economy crumbles, Korten’s timely plan for a new economy – a locally based living economy - will keep Spaceship Earth on a steady course, while bringing greater equality and strengthening our democratic institutions. And as if that were not enough, it will bring us more joy.”
—Judy Wicks, cofounder and chair, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
“A stirring defense of life and liberty. Guided by the hand of Adam Smith, David Korten paints a spirited picture of a new economy: in bold strokes, from the Earth up, and for all the people. Obama watchers, take note—page after page, redesign trumps reform and shouts, Yes, we can!”
—Raffi Cavoukian, Singer, author, entrepreneur, ecology advocate, founder of Child Honoring
"Once again David Korten has provided us with a clear understanding of why the old economy is driving us and nature to ruin - and a framework for transforming it. Especially in this time of economic meltdown it's crucial for caring people everywhere to get that patching the tires of a vehicle that's going over a cliff is neither sane nor acceptable. The financial crisis is a healing crisis and Korten gives us prescriptions that could actually give us a thriving and just economy that works for people and the planet. I hope every reader feels, as I have, a sense of relief at hearing the truth and a renewed passion for civic engagement, now knowing what direction we need to steer our ship."
—Vicki Robin, co-author, Your Money or Your Life, cofounder, Conversation Cafes
"Building upon his earlier explorations of economics, history, and psychology, Korten explains why Washington's response to the current economic crisis is like trying to put a fire out with gasoline, because it actually reinforces the pathological assumptions that got us into the mess to begin with. By outlining a foundational framework for extricating the economy from the clutches of Wall Street and creating a real-wealth New Economy based on Main Street, Korten provides essential guideposts for those working for real change."
— Charlie Cray, Director of the Center for Corporate Policy
“A great book. Korten provides solutions far beyond economics. If we care about the health, safety, education, and well-being of our society, and want to create a world with a semblance of social and economic equity, this book is the next big step in that direction.”
—Peter Block, author of Community and Stewardship
"A provocative, succinct call-to-action, challenging us to go beyond illusory solutions to the current economic crisis and confront the basic flaws in the global economic system.”
—James S. Henry, leading investigative journalist, attorney, and former chief economist, McKinsey & Co.
Resources
- Books
- Media-Interviews
- Articles/Blogs/Reports
- Presentations
- Agriculture for a Living Earth
- Beyond the Global Suicide Economy
- Can the Global Economy be Fixed?
- Challenge for Higher Education
- Ecological Economics
- Election Reflection 2004
- Follow the Money
- GATE Hollywood Day Presentation
- GATE Hollywood Evening Presentation
- Green Party & the New Economy
- How to Liberate America
- Life after Capitalism
- New Economy Animation Script
- New Economy Policy Agenda
- Path to a Peace Economy
- Prophetic Mission
- Renewing the American Experiment
- SVN Living Economies
- Sacred Earth UBC
- Seattle Peace Vigil
- State of the Union 2004
- Step to Earth Community
- The EU & the New Economy
- The Living Economies Challenge
- The Prudent Investor
- The World We Want
- Trinity Wall Street Presentation
- U of Oregon Lecture Oct 2011
- U.S. Earth Charter Launch
- UN Yes!—Bretton Woods No!
- Whidbey Bioneers 2010
- Reports from Norway
- E-Newsletter Archive
- Music & Art
- Web Essays
- Reflections/Reports
- Information Service Archive
- 1990
- 1991
- NGOs AND THE UN CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
- LEADERSHIP FOR TRANSFORMATION: LESSONS FROM THE GULF WAR
- DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION: SOME BASIC ISSUES
- THE SUSTAINABLE PROJECT: A CONTRADICTION
- ELIMINATING UNDERDEVELOPMENT AT ITS SOURCE
- UNCED: UNASKED QUESTIONS
- LATIN AMERICA: FREE TRADE IS NOT THE ANSWER
- EAST AND SOUTH: CONVERGENT INTERESTS
- THE OTHER ECONOMIC SUMMIT: A PEOPLE'S AGENDA
- THE NEW ECONOMICS MOVEMENT
- GREEN GROWTH: A FALSE SOLUTION
- NGOS AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS: PHILIPPINE PERSPECTIVES
- BEWARE THE SLOSHING OF LOOSE CAPITAL
- ECOLOGICAL STABILITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND FOREIGN ASSISTANCE
- COMMUNITY-CENTERED CAPITALISM: AN NGO ALTERNATIVE
- THE HOPE AND CHALLENGE OF PEOPLE'S FORUM 1991
- ECONOMIC ORTHODOXY AND THE POOR: THE CASE OF AUSTRALIAN AID
- ENVIRONMENT AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT: THE ASIAN REALITY
- SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Reflections on Japan's Role
- THE IDEOLOGICAL ROOTS OF CRISIS IN AN ARCHIPELAGIC COUNTRY
- INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE: A PROBLEM POSING AS A SOLUTION
- 1992
- BEYOND THE CHATTER OF MONKEYS: GETTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL BASICS
- EDUCATION FOR GLOBAL CHANGE: A NEW AGENDA FOR DEVELOPMENT EDUCATORS
- THE UNISON SNORING OF SUPINE ECONOMISTS IN DEEP DOGMATIC SLUMBER
- TO IMPROVE HUMAN WELFARE, POISON THE POOR: THE LOGIC OF A FREE MARKET ECONOMIST
- SOUTH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE THREAT OF FOREIGN AID
- CIVIL SOCIETY IS THE FIRST SECTOR
- HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ECOLOGY AND EXPORT ORIENTED INDUSTRIALIZATION
- BUILDING A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ECONOMY
- DETOXIFYING THE GREEN REVOLUTION
- GLOBAL CITIZEN'S DIPLOMACY: QUEST FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
- REFLECTIONS ON UNCED: A NEW BEGINNING
- HAVING MORE BY CONSUMING LESS
- RESULTS OF RIO: AN EMERGING SOCIAL MOVEMENT
- GREEN DOLLARS MISS THE POINT
- THE EARTH SUMMIT: COMPETING VISIONS OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER
- NEED MONEY FOR YOUR PROJECT? THREE PROVEN RULES
- NGOs AND THE UNCED FOLLOW-UP PROCESS: CONTINUING NEED FOR INDEPENDENT ACTION
- RETHINKING U.S. INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE AS IF PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT MATTER
- UNDP's HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT: OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT DOUBLE SPEAK
- DEVELOPMENT HERESY AND THE ECOLOGICAL REVOLUTION
- BEYOND MARKET VERSUS STATE
- SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: PROSPERITY WITHOUT GROWTH
- NGOs & the World Bank: An Open Letter
- THE PEOPLES' EARTH DECLARATION: A Proactive Agenda for the Future
- SOUTHEAST ASIA CONTRIBUTION TO THE EARTH CHARTER
- 1993
- FREE TRADE AND THE IMAGINARY WORLDS OF ECONOMIC MODELERS
- THE GREENING OF GLOBAL REACH
- WE ARE AFRICANS
- NAFTA: A BAD AGREEMENT
- SUSTAINABILITY REQUIRES NEW ECONOMIC CONCEPTS
- ECOLOGICAL RECOVERY AND THE FEMININE PRINCIPLE
- THE BACKWARD ONES
- Economic Restructuring Through Community and Employee Ownership
- NORTHERN LIFESTYLES: WHAT IS EQUITABLE & SUSTAINABLE?
- From Urban Sprawl to Sustainable Human Communities
- Creating a Community Economy
- Getting Prices Right: Only a Partial Answer
- The Global Economy A Bad Deal for Women
- Sustainability: Principles Behind the Vision
- GRASSROOTS ENVIRONMENTALISTS: THE POOR FIGHT BACK
- BEYOND GROWTH TO MATURITY
- WHY NOT FAIR TRADE AGREEMENTS?
- THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ROAD TO “DEVELOPMENT”
- CORPORATE AGRIBUSINESS: MONOPOLIZING SUSTENANCE
- FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH TO QUALITY OF LIFE
- CITIES, TRADE AND ECOLOGICAL DEFICITS
- POWER, POVERTY, ECONOMIC INTEGRATION & BRETTON WOODS
- TOWARD A PEOPLE'S PACIFIC
- THE COMPASSIONATE AND THRIFTY UNIVERSE
- FREE TRADE AND THE AMERICAN DREAM
- Economy, Ecology & Spirituality
- Small Farmers & Globalization
- What If......?
- Economic Colonialism
- Development and the Youth Culture
- 1994
- Making Commerce Sustainable
- Good Protectionism
- A People's Agenda
- Serious about Sustainability
- Development for People
- Let's Develop Human Societies
- Family Friend Cities
- Anyone Home at WB?
- Rethinking Global Governance
- Overlooked Case of Job Protection
- The GATT and Democracy
- PCD Principles
- Dark Victory of the New World Order
- Saying No to Development
- Sustainable Livelihoods & the Social Crisis
- Sustainable Development: PCD Concensus
- Sustainable Development: Contrasting Views
- Int. Convention on Debt
- The Case Against Globalization
- 1995
- THIRD WORLD WOMEN CHALLENGE THE GIVEN
- SOCIAL CAPITAL
- DEVELOPMENT DISPLACEMENT: WHOSE NATION IS IT?
- MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS: WHO'S THE REAL BOSS?
- BUILDING CITIZENS' AGENDAS
- A WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT AGENDA FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
- HABITAT II: PREPARING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
- HELP THE POOR, SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT: ELIMINATE DEBT AND END FOREIGN AID
- ENVIRONMENTAL LENDING MAY BE HARMFUL TO THE ENVIRONMENT
- SUSTAINABILITY AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: BEYOND BRETTON WOODS
- THE CITIZENS' AGENDA FOR CANADA
- PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS
- THE COPENHAGEN ALTERNATIVE DECLARATION
- OUR CITIES, OUR HOMES
- WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE WORLD BANK? THE BIG PICTURE
- A NOT SO RADICAL AGENDA FOR A SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL FUTURE
- PROPERTY RIGHTS VERSUS LIVING RIGHTS: DEFINING ISSUES FOR HABITAT II
- 1996
- WINNING IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: CHILE'S DARK VICTORY
- ECONOMICS WITHOUT ETHICS: THE CRISIS OF SPIRITUALITY
- FOOD SECURITY FOR PEOPLE
- UNDERSTANDING MONEY
- THERE'S A DANGEROUS FLAW IN “GLOBAL ECONOMY” CONCEPT
- GLOBALIZATION AND THE DISMANTLING OF CANADIAN DEMOCRACY, VALUES AND SOCIETY
- ECO-HABITATS: FULFILLING A DREAM FOR HUMANITY
- LIMITS TO THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF BUSINESS
- Profile of MARILYN MEHLMANN
- Profile of SARA LARRAIN R.
- Profile of VANDANA SHIVA
- 1997
- Political and Spiritual Awakening
- Rights of Money vs Persons
- Solutions Via Global Dialogue
- Money as a Social Disease
- Business Responsibility
- UN & the Corporate Agenda
- Profile of Nicanor "Nicky" Perlas
- Civil Society & Regional Security
- India's Popular Movements
- Learning Locally to Act Globally
- Why the Fuss About Stockholders?
- UN Partnerships
- Let's Try a Market Economy
- The UN Relationship to TNCs
