Purpose
The Institute for Economic Evolution is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that exists to find, unify, support, fund, and share the many design and data-driven alternatives that propose to, or already have successfully addressed flaws of mainstream economics. We do this by illustrating how this modern “family” of economic proposals are iterative, data-driven, and logical solutions to big challenges faced by humanity. In doing so together, we establish a bulwark against dated models that while mathematically perfect create social, environmental, and financial havoc upon escape from the academic page. We use design thinking to effectively evaluate economic theories, models, and metrics and their coherence to the three tenets of design economics; acknowledging change, embracing creativity, and cultivating literacy.
Vision
To evolve economics to cultivate rather than restrict human potential.
Objectives
We exist to identify and promote innovative, design-centered economic models while supporting a community dedicated to evolving economic theory and practice. We enhance public economic literacy through engaging initiatives, making alternative economic approaches accessible, and demonstrating their real-world impact.
Tenets
The concepts of Design Economics and Speculative Economics are rooted in three key tenets:
- Acknowledgment that social systems evolve from and respond to social and environmental realities–all paradigms have a lifespan.
- Emergent models demand inclusive, interdisciplinary approaches that account for dynamic systemic change–economics must refrain from punishing creativity.
- Economic literacy informs social and political discourse–a free, equitable, and flourishing society requires economic literacy to avoid sliding into authoritarianism.
These three tenets–acknowledging change, embracing creativity, and cultivating literacy–have been absent from economics and are critical to establishing a modern understanding of how individuals and societies can flourish.