Coalitionary Conflict as Ultimate Cause or By-Product of Cooperation

Throughout nature, animals cooperate within coalitions and groups to inflict damage on other groups. Prominent theory in the behavioural and biological sciences consider this reflective of the effects intergroup conflict exerted on the evolution of cooperation. Here I address a missing link in this line of argument – how can intergroup conflict emerge ex nihilo . Experiments considering participation in coalitionary aggression on non-threatening out-groups disconfirm evolved out-group bias as an explanation. More likely is that coalitionary aggression rests on parochial solidarity – to win ‘spoils of war’ for oneself and one’s in-group. Cooperation did not evolve because of conflict. Conflict is a by-product of evolved capacity for cooperation and can be avoided.