EGALITARIANISM
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1036 ▶ |
| Object type | Human sciences |
A behavior in social systems in which everything is shared equally and selfish behavior is severely punished“ (L. DICKS, 2000, p.33)
Egalitarianism seems to have the effect of weakening the need for individual selection and strenghtening group selection. In this way, the group provides a global adaptation to the enviroment which results in a new type of advantage for all members: to receive help from others when needed and to benefit from more favorable general conditions of existence. This can be seen in anthills or beehives, as well as in any type of human societies.
The need to eliminate cheating in order to save solidarity explains the severity of punishment for selfish behavior. An extreme case was impalement as punishment for cattle theft in some Congolese Central African tribes.