Lethal intergroup raids paid off evolutionarily despite high casualties

Evidence

When the insights from sexual selection theory are coupled with the logic of parental investment theory, several implications emerge that can be applied to the domain of intergroup conflict. Such implications are relevant to understanding the fundamental nature of intergroup prejudice and how gender plays a key role in its expression. As is the case with the gender asymmetry in reproductive benefits gained from engaging in violent, intrasexual conflict at the individual level, it has been argued that aggression at the group level could also yield the potential for immense gains in reproductive resources for males relative to females (Buss & Shackelford, 1997; Daly & Wilson, 1988; Tooby & Cosmides, 1988). Consider the example given by Tooby and Cosmides (1988) of a coalition of males who eliminate the males of a neighboring group and usurp their females. The males in the victorious group would experience a staggeringly steep increase in their fitness. Of course, males of other groups do not sit idly by while they are eliminated and are likely to violently resist, thereby exacting a substantial cost on the aggressors. However, even if the risk of failure among the aggressors is high and there are few survivors among male combatants, such risks are readily offset by the exponentially increasing benefits bestowed upon the victors because the reproductive rewards would be split among a smaller number of beneficiaries. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1186 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Since discord unfolds its negative, destructive character between particular individuals, we naively conclude that it must have the same effect on the total group. In reality, however, something which is negative and damaging between individuals if it is considered in isolation and as aiming in a particular direction, does not necessarily have the same effect within the total relationship of these individuals. For a very different picture emerges when we view the conflict in conjunction with other interactions not affected by it. The negative and dualistic elements play an entirely positive role in this more comprehensive picture, despite the destruction they may work on particular relations. All this is very obvious in the competition of individuals within an economic unit. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280 (#complicates, via linked claim)

An external enemy also reduces conflict within a country. In January 1991, for instance, Pakistan was reported to be “awash in anti-Western polemics” which brought that country, at least briefly, together. “Pakistan has never been so united. In the southern province of Sind, where native Sindhis and immigrants from India have been murdering each other for five years, people from either side demonstrate against the Americans arm in arm. In the ultraconservative tribal areas on the Northwest Frontier, even women are out in the streets protesting, often in places where people have never assembled for anything other than Friday prayers.” — Samuel P. Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations and the…, 691 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Male-coalition violence against outgroups yields huge reproductive fitness payoffs even when deadly — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1186; Male intergroup violence evolved to secure reproductive resources via dominance — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1189; Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Male-coalition violence against outgroups yields huge reproductive fitness payoffs even when deadly #corroborates (0.95) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1186
• Conflict destructive at one level can integrate the larger group #complicates (0.74) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 280
• External enemies can briefly unite groups that have been murdering each other. #complicates (0.72) — Samuel P. Huntington, The Clash of Civilizations and the…, 691