Gar Alperovitz’s keynote speech at "The Summit" at Appalachian State in Boone, NC April 2013.
“What Then Must We Do: Straight Talk About The Next American Revolution”
By Gar Alperovitz, originally published by New Economics Institute
May 16, 2013
Gar Alperovitz
Gar Alperovitz is the Lionel R. Bauman professor of political economy at the University of Maryland. He is the author numerous books, including What Then Must We Do? Straight Talk About the Next American Revolution, America Beyond Capitalism and, with Lew Daly, Unjust Deserts. Gar is the co-founder of the Democracy Collaborative, an innovative think tank developing new models for sustainable, equitable and cooperative community development.
In addition to his work in economics, he is also an acclaimed historian whose work has focused on the decision to use atomic weapons at the close of World War II. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, the New Republic, The Nation, and the Atlantic among other popular and academic publications. He has been profiled by the New York Times, the Associated Press, People, UPI and Mother Jones and has been a guest on numerous network TV and cable news programs, including “Meet the Press,” “Larry King Live,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” “Cross Fire,” and “the O’Reilly Factor.”
Tags: american dream, changemaking
Related Articles
The Youth Movement in a Post-Growth World
By Adel Ramdani, Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy
We need all hands on deck to ideate new ways to equip the Youth Movement with a holistic, radical approach. To generate systemic change, young activists must be brave in their criticism of capitalism and growth. Unfortunately, they must also get comfortable with doubt, not knowing exactly what tomorrow will look like.
February 24, 2026
We All Need To Go To Business School
By Michael Shuman, The Main Street Journal
Ten years ago, I started teaching at Bard’s Green MBA Program, where I now teach classes in economics, economic development, community investment funds, and “sustaining mission.” And what I can report is that the several hundred students I taught have created, run, or improved an amazing assortment of mission-oriented enterprises.
February 19, 2026
The Future is Rural: Reclaiming Food Sovereignty through Farming Clubs?
By Nate Hagens, The Great Simplification
In this episode, Nate is joined by biologist and farmer Jason Bradford, to discuss his ‘Farming Club,’ which offers hands-on learning for ecologically based agriculture, where members also get to take home food and build a relationship with the land.
February 19, 2026




















