Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins

Why Female Leaders Abuse Their Power (The Science)

Feb 5, 2026
They dismantle the myth of peaceful female-led societies and challenge the romantic bonobo narrative. They highlight recent data showing bonobos use sexual coercion and maternal nepotism. They discuss historical and modern findings suggesting women in power can be likelier to initiate conflict. They critique nostalgic progressivism and argue for pragmatic, data-driven views of power and society.
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ANECDOTE

Women Prefer Male Bosses Historically

  • Malcolm Collins recounts polling showing most women historically preferred male bosses.
  • He cites Gallup and later surveys where only ~25–28% of women preferred female managers.
INSIGHT

Bonobo Aggression Rates Higher

  • Male bonobos show equal or higher aggression rates than chimpanzees, contradicting peaceful stereotypes.
  • A 2024 Current Biology study found bonobo males engaged in ~2.8–3x more physical aggression than chimps.
INSIGHT

Nonlethal Torture As Social Control

  • Bonobos have lower lethal aggression but high emotional and physical torment, which can be worse socially.
  • Malcolm Collins notes torturous dominance replaced lethal outcomes in bonobo societies.
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