Institute for Policy Studies

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
The North Korean Conundrum
November 13 - Change you can believe in or policy status quo? By John Feffer, published in 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.

Op-Ed
Bonfires for the Global Vanities
October 29 - The end of the Bush administration makes real change — ending wars — possible, but only if we fight for it. By Phyllis Bennis, published in Blog for Our Future and Transnational Institute.

Commentary
Whining About Winning in Iraq
October 23 - McCain and Palin shout triumphantly, "We're winning the war in Iraq." Such rhetoric collides painfully with reality. By Saul Landau, published in Counterpunch and Progreso Weekly.

Justice

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.

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.

Commentary
Obama’s Victory
November 8 - Four experts discuss the significance of Obama’s presidential win and some of the challenges that lie ahead for U.S. progressive movements. By John Cavanagh, Steve Cobble, Karen Dolan, Bill Fletcher, Jr..

Commentary
Notes from Election Night
November 6 - A tongue-in-cheek account of that historic evening. By Sanho Tree.

Environment

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.

Report
Dirty is the New Clean
October 9 - A Critique of the World Bank’s Strategic Framework for Development and Climate Change. By the Sustainable Energy and Economy Network project.

Commentary
A Memo to the Next President: Think Globally
October 9 - The next U.S. administration needs to make the alleviation of global poverty a top priority. By Emira Woods, published in OneWorld US.

Report
World Bank Group Fossil Fuel Financing, 2004-2008
October 8 - From the report "Dirty is the New Clean," new facts about the World Bank Group’s lending to coal, oil, and gas which is up 94% from 2007. By the Sustainable Energy and Economy Network project.