Political and economic behavior are emotional and social first; trust, the first ingredient in effective group action, must be viewed as based in the development of hope. Building effective institutions — from neighborhood watches to international treaties — must account for "moral sympathy". We've learned from social science, neuroeconomics, and experience that the key "weak links" that stabilize societies must begin from the tribal (faith and tradition) and common interests and hopes.

Social theorists are beginning to consider "mechanism design" — how to encourage constructive entente. We show that dynamic models of social neuroscience play a critical role in this process.

An application to making foreign assistance helpful to 3d World nations is presented.