Reclaiming the Knowledge Economy

Reviews / Votes

"Going beyond critique to explore many inspiringly positive policy and political implications, this book offers a pioneering understanding of alternative agro-food networks as an emerging new form of 'knowledge economy'. Drawing on a diversity of theoretical traditions - from Marxist sociology to heterodox economics and science and technology studies - it offers an account of a in-depth multi-methods empirical study of some important rural agro-food initiatives in the UK. The resulting thoughtful and provocative call to re-claim ideas of the knowledge economy, holds deep cross-national relevance for contemporary food production, as well repercussions across wider sectors".

(Professor Andy Stirling, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex, UK)

"Using the example of food networks and the roles of scientific laboratories, farmers and consumers, this important book makes a powerful argument for a collective re-thinking and reclaiming of the 'knowledge economy', to create more inclusive economic systems based on a diversity of knowledge and experience".

(Dr Helen Wallace, GeneWatch UK)

"Critiques of "the (bio)knowledge economy" abound, as do critical exposures of the unjustness and unsustainability of conventional global agri-food systems. This book offers a new departure by developing a theoretically literate, empirically rich investigation of alternative agri-food networks, asking how their less studied, less formal but substantive knowledge-economy qualities might help in the urgently needed redesign and repurposing of dominant techno-capitalist agrifood systems, and the scientific R&D cultures subordinated to them."
(Professor Brian Wynne, Lancaster University, UK)