Understanding the egalitarian revolution in human social evolution.
Humans are unique among animals in cooperating in large groups of unrelated individuals, with a high degree of resource sharing. These features challenge traditional evolutionary theories built on kin selection or reciprocity. A recent theoretical model by Gavrilets and colleagues takes a fresh look at the 'egalitarian revolution' that separates humans from our closest relatives, the great apes. The model suggests that information from within-group conflicts leads to the emergence of cooperative alliances and social networks.
Svensson
Erik I
EI
Section for Animal Ecology, Ecology Building, Lund University, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden. erik.svensson@zooekol.lu.se
D000533:Altruism; D005075:Biological Evolution; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012919:Social Behavior; D012923:Social Class