David C. Korten - Economic Policy

David C. Korten is an internationally known leader on issues of democracy. His varied experience includes a stint as a Harvard Business School professor, assignments with the Harvard Institute for International Development, the Ford Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He has lived in Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and the Philippines where he helped public agencies in the strengthening of community control of natural resources.  In 1995 Korten wrote When Corporations Rule the World, examining economic policies that have led to a deepening global crisis.  Realizing that what was needed was to advance alternative policies and strategies that could take the world in a more positive direction, in 1996 he joined with other colleagues — mostly Bainbridge residents — to found the Positive Futures Network (PFN) and YES! magazine.  He went on to publish The Post-Corporate World: Life after Capitalism (1998) and The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community (2006).  His most recent book Agenda for a New Economy: From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth (2009) advances the argument that our hope during the current economic crisis lies not with Wall Street but with Main Street.  Korten was presented with the 2005 Island Treasure Award by the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council. For more information on this author please go to http://www.davidkorten.org/