Institute for Policy Studies
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Welcome. The Institute for Policy Studies turns Ideas into Action for Peace, Justice and the Environment. We strengthen social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials. I.F. Stone once called IPS "the think tank for the rest of us." Since 1963, we have empowered people to build healthy and democratic societies in communities, the US, and the world. Click here to learn more, or read the latest below.


Peace

Op-Ed
Foreign Policy for Obama Should Be Approached with a Broad Vision
November 26 - Exercising too much caution, if it translates into maintaining the status quo, would be a profound mistake. By John Feffer, published in The Vernon County Broadcaster.

Commentary
Keep Secretary Gates? This Simple Test Should Decide
November 17 - The idea of letting the current Defense Secretary keep his job is a hotly debated topic these days. Here's an easy way to decide. By Miriam Pemberton, published in Common Dreams and Foreign Policy In Focus.

Op-Ed
The North Korean Conundrum
November 13 - Change you can believe in or policy status quo? By John Feffer, published in Al Jazeera, Altercation, Common Dreams, Middle East Online, Mother Jones, TomDispatch.

Commentary
'W': Bush Ultra-Lite
October 30 - At a time when we need Marx’s analytical abilities, Oliver Stone offers Freud. By Farrah Hassen and Saul Landau, published in Canadian Dimension, Counterpunch, Progreso Weekly.

Commentary
Strange Strike
October 30 - Syria learned yet again with the recent helicopter attack, when it comes to relations with Washington, no good deed goes unpunished. By Farrah Hassen, published in Antiwar.com, Common Dreams, Foreign Policy In Focus, Indymedia UK, OneWorld US, The Asia Times.

Justice

Commentary
Aiming for Middle Power Status?
November 24 - Political realignment in Japan is causing its leaders to rethink its relationship with the rest of the world. By John Feffer, published in Inter Press Service.

Declaration
Towards an Economic System that Works for People and the Planet
November 14 - A civil society statement on the G20 summit from IPS Director John Cavanagh and coalition members. By John Cavanagh.

Op-Ed
Swear Off 'Market Fundamentalism'
November 14 - As long as U.S. officials continue to refuse to face the reality of a post-market fundamentalist world, they will further contribute to the crisis. By Robin Broad and John Cavanagh, published in Common Dreams and The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Commentary
Response to Poverty and Empire: Denial
November 13 - The presidential campaign demonstrated the contemporary versions of institutionalized denial. By Saul Landau, published in Progreso Weekly.

Op-Ed
Remembering a Black Radical in a Barack Obama America
November 12 - Remembering the legacy of Kwame Ture in light of the historical election of Barack Obama. By Dedrick Muhammad and Bokar Ture, published in Counterpunch.

Environment

Report
Skewed Priorities
November 24 - The approximately $4.1 trillion that the United States and European governments have committed to bail out financial firms is 40 times the money they’re spending to fight climate and poverty crises in the developing world. By the Global Economy project.

Commentary
Bailouts Dwarf Spending on Climate and Poverty Crises
November 24 - The approximately $4.1 trillion that the United States and Europe have committed to rescue financial firms is 40 times the money they're spending to fight climate and poverty crises in the developing world. By Sarah Anderson and John Cavanagh, published in AlterNet, Common Dreams, Dollars and Sense Magazine, Foreign Policy In Focus.

Magazine Article
Carbon Market Fundamentalism
November 22 - Carbon markets are undermining economic justice, sustainability, and climate stability goals. By Daphne Wysham, published in The Multinational Monitor.

Op-Ed
Reprocessing Spent Nuclear Fuel Too Risky
November 17 - Nuclear energy is not the right alternative for the United States. By Robert Alvarez, published in The Columbus Dispatch.

Op-Ed
How Badly Can the 'Experts' Ruin the Planet?
October 10 - Look no further than the World Bank to see how many economic, social, and environmental problems so-called experts can make worse. By Robin Broad and John Cavanagh, published in AlterNet.