The supercooperators

In a previous post I argued that economic growth was compelling evidence that human society has become increasingly cooperative. This is because economic growth depends on commerce, which involves specialising in activities that we are good at and then exchanging the products of that activity with others who specialise in what they are good at. I chose commerce as an example of cooperation because many see it as exemplifying the selfish aspects of human behaviour and rail against it. In doing so they miss out on the bigger picture. Commerce implies cooperation. Global trade implies global cooperation.

There is plenty of other evidence that human cooperation is increasing and is now greater than ever, despite occasional set backs. I provide two more examples.

One example is the extent to which countries adopt support systems for their vulnerable members. This includes support for the disabled, social housing, unemployment benefits, healthcare, and pensions. This support has increased steadily to the extent that it is considered unacceptable for countries to not provide such systems. There is of course considerable debate about these welfare provisions but this debate is mostly about how they should be provided, to what extent they are being abuses by certain segments of society, and how much money should be spent on them. There is very little if any support for abolishing these systems. 

Another example is the extent to which over time people voluntarily organise themselves on ever increasing scales. This is exemplified by the spread of the nation states ruled by the consent of its people, and the increase in supranational organisations, where nation states voluntarily cooperate. This culminated in the creation of the United Nations and numerous other sister organisations. The Europe Community represents perhaps the 'next level' of this cooperation as joining countries sacrifice considerable freedom of action by agreeing to adopt rules agreed to by all members.