“I describe in 'Chimpanzee Politics' how the alpha male needs broad support to reach the top spot. He needs some close allies and he needs many group members to be on his side.” NeedsSidesSupportGroupsMembersMalesSpotsBroadsAlliesAlpha MaleChimpanzeesAlphas Author:Frans de Waal
“If you want to design a successful human society you need to know what kind of animal we are. Are we a social animal or a selfish animal? Do we respond better when we're solitary or living in a group?” IfsKnowsWantNeedsHumansKindSocialAnimalSuccessfulGroupsDesignSelfishSolitaryHuman Society Author:Frans de Waal
“Wild groups of chimpanzees attack their enemies like gangs. What they completely lack, precisely because of their strong territorial behavior, is a friendly relationship with their neighbors.” StrongEnemyGroupsBehaviorNeighborFriendlyGangChimpanzeesTerritorial Author:Frans de Waal
“We, who think like animals living in small groups, must structure a global world. We believe in universal human rights and believe racism and war are wrong. On the other hand, it is our nature to be cooperative and loving almost exclusively with the members of the group to which we feel we belong.” ThinkingWorldFeelsBelieveHumansWarHandsAnimalRightsGroupsMembersRacismUniversalStructureHuman RightsSmall GroupsCooperatives Author:Frans de Waal
“I have often noticed how primate groups in their entirety enter a similar mood. All of a sudden, all of them are playful, hopping around. Or all of them are grumpy. Or all of them are sleepy and settle down. In such cases, the mood contagion serves the function of synchronizing activities.” CasesGroupsActivityFunctionMoodSettlingSettling DownSleepyEntiretyPrimatesContagionGrumpyHopping Author:Frans de Waal
