Philosophy

When societies hit periods of deep crisis, it has rarely been
governments or markets that provided the lifeline. It’s has usually
been ordinary people rescuing each other in what academics call “parallel
polis,” (or “parallel structures”). From workers’ mutual aid
societies during the Industrial Revolution, to neighborhood
cooperatives in the Great Depression, to solidarity networks in
Eastern Europe while under authoritarian rule… People have
repeatedly built their own systems when official ones failed them.
These parallel structures gave communities stability, dignity, and
resilience in uncertain times. RINGs are simply today’s version of
that same play: neighbors organizing together so we can rely on each
other when the larger system can’t or won’t.

When resources are tight, survival doesn’t come from competition but
from cooperation. History and nature both clearly show that groups who
share, pool, and coordinate their efforts are the ones that endure.
Whether it’s villages weathering famine, families sticking together
through war, or ecosystems thriving because species work in balance,
the lesson is clear. In resource-strained environments, cooperation
isn’t charity, it’s strategy. By leaning into collective
problem-solving, communities not only survive, but often come out
stronger than before.

RINGs endure because they aren’t chasing efficiency, they’re building
resilience. Instead of depending on a single fragile system, each RING
creates overlapping skills, shared responsibilities, and multiple ways
to get needs met. That redundancy is what makes the network
sustainable: if one piece falters, others step in. Whether the larger
structure grows or contracts, the local RING continues because it
works for the people inside it. By cooperating directly with each
other, neighbors gain more power, more options, and more security than
any top-down system can offer.

Getting started is easy! You can participate at any level you are
comfortable with.

• Start
  by joining your state’s CES. Make a few
  posts, trade some services, and see how it goes.
• Build community spirit by attending or hosting a one-time
  event!  Contact your CES administrator if you have an
  idea for a fun community event. This could be a musical
  event, a game night, a repair cafe… there are tons of options!
• After a bit of time, you can attend a local meeting near
  you to see how the Neighborhood RINGs work. (Contact
  us to find one.)
• If you like the meeting format, feel free to join
  a Neighborhood RING. If it’s not your cup of tea,
  that’s fine. You can still help your neighbors by participating in
  the CES, and attending or hosting local events.