Radical Agrarian Economics: Wendell Berry and Beyond

This is a comparative study of Wendell Berry's theory of New Agrarian economics in contrast with other agrarian proposals, as well as communist, capitalist and feudal economic theories. The argument for an agrarian world has both similarities and sharp contrasts with Marxist communism, industrial capitalism, and classic feudalism. Agrarianism can be seen more clearly when it is contrasted and shown as having existed in parallel with each of these stages of economic world development. As the world quickly grows in the direction of overpopulation and pollution, a re-evaluation is needed of the previously used sustainability methods that have kept humanity in balance with the earth for millennia. As resources continue to become scarcer, those who can support themselves independently from mass-agricultural ventures might have a survival advantage. And this advantage should be explored before the world reaches a catastrophic phase. As the American farming population shrinks further below one percent of the overall population, this is a crucial moment to consider if agrarianism and agriculture itself should retain a central role in American political theory or if it should fade into the past."In strikingly honest terms, Dr. Faktorovich shares a chastened and sincere study of a utopian economics envisioned by a poet of the natural world. With her concluding image of knitting as an act conjuring warmth, nostalgia and consolation, as well as reminding us of the haptic poetry of tactile work, she delivers with picturesque detail and a hint of melancholy, an answer that is deeply true." -Catherine Corman, creator of photography collection, Daylight Noir"I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It's a concise, well-written, detailed work of economic history and theory that accomplishes its two goals of situating Wendell Berry and New Agrarianism in history, and considering the practicality of these ideas in the modern world. Faktorovich has indeed written a textbook for the student of agrarian economics, but she has done more: she has crafted an elegant and accessible history of economic thought. Her book is necessary for any reader of Wendell Berry, but also for thoughtful people from all disciplines with an interest in money, time, and the good life." -OnlineBookClub.orgDr. Anna Faktorovich is the Director and Founder of the Anaphora Literary Press. She previously taught for over four years at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and the Middle Georgia State College. She has a Ph.D. in English Literature and Criticism, an MA in Comparative Literature, and a BA in Economics. She published two academic books with McFarland: Rebellion as Genre in the Novels of Scott, Dickens and Stevenson (2013) and The Formulas of Popular Fiction: Elements of Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Religious and Mystery Novels (2014).