I think it likely that the next wave of environmentalism will focus on entrepreneurs. Certainly this approach is central to any substantial success. Disenchantment with government is growing ever stronger, thus, new perspectives and practices are required for progress. I have been asked to write the introduction to a book advancing the theme of entrepreneurial […]
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Social entrepreneurship is becoming ever more important for achieving social goals. As the government sector hits budgetary reality checks imposed by unsustainable political promises and payoffs, its scope of activities will necessarily contract. When public choices require tradeoffs among important functions, maintaining police, public health, and pollution control are compelling examples, other worthwhile social activities […]
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I have friends involved in construction, finance, and real estate. None of them, not even those in Bozeman, are prospering as they were two years ago. Several have asked me to speculate on the future. I’ll focus on Bozeman, but will first outline the national context. Initially note that we are among the many victims […]
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Dear Readers: This edition of FREE Insights gives a preview of the conference topics we have selected for 2010. We are now designing these programs, and we welcome your suggestions for speakers and funders. Best, John & Pete FREE’s programs target (and hit) important decision makers and opinion leaders. We attract some of America’s most […]
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Last month FREE brought a group of social entrepreneurs to Bozeman. Participants included investors who understand that economic progress is a decentralized process of discovery. It depends on the imagination and talents of individuals anticipating and responding to changing conditions and preferences. In particular, investors see long-term benefits in companies offering products that promise to […]
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Religion was central to my early work in political economy. I lived among the Hutterite Brethren in the late 1960s, visiting and staying with two-dozen Hutterite colonies in the Northern Plains. My goal was to explain what conditions enabled a communist society to survive, and in their case even thrive. This fieldwork occasionally involved driving […]
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Each summer FREE organizes and hosts a series of small academic conferences in the Bozeman area. In addition to academics and professional environmentalists, we work with opinion leaders and decision makers throughout America. Our arena is public policy focused on environmental issues viewed broadly. We foster understanding and are non-partisan. FREE has involved Article III […]
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FREE has created a program for an ecumenical group of religious leaders. Most have advanced degrees and teach in seminaries or divinity schools. Some are in charge of publications; others involved with formulating and articulating their organization’s public policy positions. All are influential in the public environmental debate. These leaders all agree that environmental stewardship […]
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The Bozeman area is an excellent site to study entrepreneurship. Right Now Technology and Zoot exemplify commercial entrepreneurial success. Their founders envision new products and develop markets for them. They are among the few who succeed; competition relentlessly filters dreams with reality checks. Social entrepreneurs identify a purpose not served by the commercial sector. Local […]
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In a previous column I asked, “What should we do about ecologically valuable areas that are also rich in energy resources? At current prices, these areas act like huge electromagnets, attracting evermore attention.” Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front for example, contains oil and gas deposits. It is also excellent grizzly habitat, a place where they can […]
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