NeutraWeed interview with Philip McMichael on democracy in agriculture

Altreconomia has published an interview with Philip McMichael, rural sociologist and Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, internationally known for co-developing the food regime theory.

The interview - conducted by Susanna Debenedetti (Deafal NGO) during her NeutraWeed secondment - offers a critical reflection on how global capitalism continues to structure agricultural systems. McMichael warns that without a transformation in political and power relations, small-scale farming cultures risk disappearing.

He argues that technological innovation, including AI, can truly support farming communities only when co-designed with them, strengthening rather than replacing local knowledge. McMichael also highlights the need for democratic, community-driven technologies and public policies that prioritise local producers, biodiversity, and sustainable food systems.

Read the full interview on Altreconomia > “From a food regime to democratic agriculture"