Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes
Categories: Animals, Science & Math
Chimpanzee Politics (Johns Hopkins, 25th anniversary edition, 2007; first published 1982) is primatologist Frans de Waal's study of the chimpanzee colony at the Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem. Over years of observation, de Waal records how the males Yeroen, Luit and Nikkie compete for dominance through shifting alliances, bluff and support from the females led by the old matriarch, Mama. He describes grooming, reconciliation after fights and the trading of favors, arguing that chimpanzees practice a kind of politics, with strategies that resemble those of humans.
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- Tim Ferriss: “I would also recommend people read, there's a book called Chimpanzee Politics , which is fascinating. It was written by a field biologist, but I believe this was used by Newt Gingrich at one point or so he claimed to help seize control and fascinating.”