WHAT IS POLITICS? How Inequality of Wealth and Power are like Obesity and Diabetes
Aug 4, 2025
Delve into the paradox of human greed and the hierarchical structures that shape our societies. Discover how ancient egalitarian norms of hunter-gatherers contrast with today's wealth disparities. Uncover the psychological impacts of wealth, revealing how it can lead to isolation despite material success. Explore the societal dysfunction that arises from extreme economic dominance and the disconnect between the ultra-wealthy and everyday realities. Finally, consider the balance between human desires and the increasing divide as technology evolves.
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Origins of Human Hierarchies
- Human societies historically form dominance hierarchies where wealthy and powerful people control others.
- Hunter-gatherer societies before the state were mostly egalitarian with enforced equality and individual autonomy.
Hunter Banishment for Arrogance
- The Women's Ritual Association of the Mbenjale band banished a top hunter who refused to share leadership.
- This maintained group equality and prevented accumulation of too much prestige by one individual.
Equality in Hunter-Gatherer Societies
- Immediate return hunter-gatherers enforce social rules that ensure sharing and equality.
- People have relatively equal bargaining power, which stabilizes social structures and values.