Collective Action Research Emergence Institute:
A Think and Make Tank

At CARE, we are dedicated to fostering resilient, responsibly equitable, and thriving communities by integrating cutting-edge research with practical action. As a “Think and Make Tank,” our mission is twofold: to develop transformative theories and to implement innovative solutions that address the complex challenges of our time.

Our “Think” initiatives focus on understanding how cooperation and interdependence between individuals —from families to bioregions—can scale up to solve the crises of our times. 

We are guided by three core hypotheses: 

1. Every Level Counts
   Our well-being depends on the health and resilience of all levels of organization— from the cells in our bodies up to international alliances, each level plays a critical role in creating the conditions for collective success.
2. Right-Sized Nesting Enables Resilience
   Effective systems require appropriate constraints and balanced relationships among their parts.
3. Bioregional Economies as the Foundation for Global Resilience
   By prioritizing locally rooted, equitable, and sustainable structures, bioregional economic networks can build a globally interconnected but locally resilient foundation.

Using these hypotheses, we develop theoretical models, field experiments, and interdisciplinary research to:

1. Strengthen Families and Communities by nurturing healthier social units.
2. Build Bioregional Economic Networks that prioritize local interdependence and sustainability.
3. Develop, Test, and Refine Theories about how groups—from cells to societies—thrive through the combination of cooperation, autonomy, and accountability.

We leverage multilevel selection theory to explore how “right-sized nesting” enables groups to maintain trust and effectiveness. Our research spans the trade-offs of size, the sweet spots for cooperation, and how bioregional economic networks can replace extractive, profit-driven systems with sustainable, locally grounded alternatives.

The “Make” aspect of our work turns ideas into action. Through four core objectives, we empower communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world:

1. Discover actionable insights through our research, as well as through dialogues with communities.
2. Create pilot projects that inspire innovation, build local resilience, and test scalable solutions.
3. Advocate for policies that promote local resilience, stronger local communities, and responsible equity.
4. Sustain local adaptability and responsible equity with a high level of foresight and preparation.

Our Vision

We envision a world where local communities thrive, even amidst macro-level economic shifts and ecological uncertainties. By reclaiming value often extracted by distant interests, we cultivate a strong, locally-rooted market—one that prioritizes human well-being, ecological health, and long-term stability over short-term gains.

Our Mission

Rooted in a groundbreaking evolutionary framework and guided by emergence science, CARE is dedicated to addressing the complex crises of our time. We focus on enabling communities to develop self-sufficiency, collaborative governance, and robust local economies, ensuring that they not only survive but flourish.

Our Transpartisan Approach

We believe in “transpartisanship”—recognizing that liberal and conservative viewpoints each bring essential insights. By acknowledging different moral foundations and biases as valid, we strive to find both common ground and uncommon ground to address polarization through respectful dialogue, shared goals, rational collaborative discourse, and creative solutions outside bipartisan Overton windows.

Why It Matters

Thriving communities form the cornerstone of a resilient, equitable, and prosperous future.  Our work is driven by the understanding that the challenges we face—economic instability, environmental disruption, and social fragmentation—cannot be solved by outdated, top-down systems or business as usual. Instead, we must cultivate interconnected, more self-sustaining networks that empower people to adapt, collaborate, and thrive in the face of uncertainty. Resilience is not just about enduring disruptions; it’s about transforming them into opportunities for growth. By fostering cooperation and accountability across levels of organization—from families to bioregional economies—we aim to build systems that are not only robust but also regenerative. We recognize that the diverse moral foundations of liberal and conservative viewpoints bring essential insights to addressing societal challenges. Through respectful dialogue, shared goals, and creative solutions that move beyond partisan constraints, we bridge divides to create a future where differences become strengths. Through our innovative “Think and Make” approach, we are bridging theory and practice to create meaningful change. 

At CARE, we don’t just imagine a better future—we help build it.