David Morris, co-founder of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and a pioneering voice for community-scaled economics and local self-determination, died on June 11, 2025, at age 79. One of America’s most visionary and prescient thinkers, David was an early and incisive critic of corporate concentration and free trade.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, he helped lay the groundwork for what are now ascendant alternatives — including local green energy and community broadband — and crafted countless innovative policy proposals to advance justice, equity, and community power. His clarity, conviction, and vision will be deeply missed.
Revisit highlights from David’s work and career
A message to friends and allies reflecting on David's visionary ideas, rigorous thinking, and lasting impact on movements for a just, sustainable, and democratic world.
An appreciation for ILSR's co-founder, David Morris, on 50 years of accomplishments and impact.
In recognition of ILSR co-founder David Morris's life and work, we revisit David's BLP interview in 2017 about local power and the power of cities.
In a 1995 speech, Morris outlines the consequences of public policy that separates the rule makers from those who feel the impact of those rules.
Local self-reliance means that we, the people, are free to exercise power over our lives — how we provide for our families, how resources are shared and allocated in our communities, and how decisions are made by government, corporations, and businesses, because it affects all of us.
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