Lessons in Politics in the Animal Kingdom

We kick-off our four-part series on politics in the animal kingdom by discussing the social structures behind different animal groups and the basis of leadership and power dynamics in wildlife.

Human politics are a complex set of activities that can determine group decisions and relations and condition the way we live in society. Easily corrupted, defaced by nepotism or thwarted by conflicts, there is no way of winning in politics. Instead, societal happiness lies carefully balanced in the pursuit of holistic agreements to try to bring prosperity to nations and communities.

The world of animal politics often remains hidden from our human-centric perspective. While we humans have created complex systems of governance, from democracies to monarchies, it’s easy to overlook the political structures and behaviours that exist in the animal kingdom.

In nature, there are no polling stations or campaign rallies, but there is a wealth of social organisations, leadership dynamics, and decision-making processes that can be considered political in their own right.

Within the diverse ecosystems of our planet, animals, both big and small, engage in political activities that are essential for their survival and prosperity. These activities may not involve voting or legislative bodies, but they encompass the formation of social hierarchies, the negotiation of resources, and the establishment of alliances and coalitions.

This article will explore the social structures of various species, from pack-based systems to complex hierarchies, and investigate how they communicate and make decisions within their communities.

The Building Blocks of Animal Societies

Animal Societies can be founded on different social structures and communication and decision-making strategies that condition the way these groups function.

Social Structures: Packs and Hierarchies in animal groups

Animal societies are structured in a variety of ways, each tailored to the species’ specific needs and environmental conditions.

Pack-based systems, found in animals like wolves and African wild dogs often consist of a dominant alpha pair, subordinates, and, in some cases, offspring. The hierarchy within these packs plays a fundamental role in decision-making and resource allocation.

Alternatively, in many species, hierarchies exist to determine leadership and resource access. Dominance is established through a range of behaviours, including displays of strength, submission, and even physical combat. Hierarchy is particularly evident in primates like chimpanzees and baboons.

Communication and Decision-Making in animal collectives

Effective communication and decision-making are essential for the success of any society, including those in the animal kingdom. Animals have developed ways to convey information and make collective choices.

1. Vocalizations: Many species, such as birds, use vocalizations to communicate. Birdsong, for instance, is used for territory marking, mate attraction, and warning signals. In marine environments, whales communicate through complex songs that can travel vast distances.

2. Body Language: Non-verbal communication through body language is widespread in the animal kingdom. It includes gestures, postures, and facial expressions that convey intentions and emotions. For example, the wagging of a dog’s tail signifies various emotions, from happiness to anxiety.

3. Voting and Consensus: Some animal groups engage in what can be seen as a form of voting. For instance, honeybees use “waggle dances” to communicate the location of food sources, and when a consensus is reached, the majority of the hive will follow the information provided.

Understanding how animals communicate and make decisions is fundamental to unravelling their political systems. These mechanisms facilitate cooperation, coordinate hunting or foraging, and help resolve conflicts within their communities. In the animal kingdom, the ability to communicate effectively and reach decisions collectively is a matter of life and death.

Leadership and power dynamics in animal packs

In the animal kingdom, as in human societies, leadership and power dynamics are integral components of political structures. The ways in which leadership is established and maintained, and the distribution of power, vary significantly across different species.

Dominant Individuals and Alpha Hierarchies

One of the most prevalent aspects of animal politics is the presence of dominant individuals and hierarchical systems. Dominance is typically established through a variety of means, depending on the species. Additionally, depending on the animal groups, some are more prone to show aggression than others.

In some animal societies, an alpha individual, often the strongest or most experienced, takes on the role of a leader. However, the selection of who is an alpha varies depending on the species and is less common than initially thought.

For instance, wolf packs are often considered to consist of an alpha male and an alpha female. These dominant individuals have preferential access to resources and often make important decisions for the group. However, this is actually a misconception. The hierarchy in these packs do not stem from competitiveness to determine who is the alpha. Instead, these packs are parental, where the leaders are the parents and the subjugates or more beta roles are their offspring.

In some primates however, such as capuchin monkeys, there is a clearly figured alpha male role. These primates often show biological traits that showcase their alpha status. Capuchin alpha males typically grow to be the biggest ones of the group, and once a male Mandrill becomes an alpha, for example, his testosterone levels rise, his red and blue colours strengthen in potency, and his testicles grow larger.

Among our closest primate relatives, chimpanzees, hierarchical structures are one of the aggressive and dominant. Males engage in displays of dominance, and high-ranking individuals enjoy advantages such as mating privileges and better access to food.

Curiously enough, among other similar characteristics between chimps and humans, it is these excessively dominant and aggressive alpha traits that have often been attributed to some human politicians.

Matriarchal vs Patriarchal Societies

The gender dynamics within animal societies can be as diverse as their social structures. While some species exhibit matriarchal tendencies, others lean towards patriarchal systems.

Matriarchal Societies: In species as like elephants, bonobos or killer whales females often take on a central role in the social structure. Older, more experienced females, known as matriarchs, lead their family groups, making decisions about movement, foraging, and protection.

Patriarchal Societies: In contrast, some species, like lions, are characterized by patriarchal structures. In lion prides, males hold dominion and protect the territory, while females do the majority of the hunting. Patriarchies are quite complex too. In contrast to bonobos, chimpanzees are strictly patriarchal and violent, as are gorillas, capuchins, and non-primate animals like elephant seals.

However, male societies are not straightforward. In many patriarchal animal societies, harems and bachelor pads are observed as social structures. Harems typically involve a dominant male with a group of females, serving as a way to maximize reproductive success. This make dominance is regularly challenges.

In contrast, bachelor pads consist of subordinate males who are not yet dominant but live in proximity to the harem for potential future opportunities.

The role of Territory and Resources

Territoriality and resource access are key factors influencing leadership and power dynamics in animal societies.

Territorial Defence: Animals, including birds, mammals, and even insects, often defend territories. Leaders within a group may be responsible for defending these territories against intruders, which can lead to power struggles and conflicts.

Resource Allocation: Access to vital resources such as food and water can determine the hierarchy within a group. Dominant individuals or leaders may have priority access to these resources, which can also influence mating opportunities and overall group stability.

In briefly exploring the the building blocks and power dynamics of politics in the animal kingdom, we’ve learned about some of the social structures, communication methods, leadership dynamics, and the critical importance of resource allocation. Just as in human societies, leadership and power play pivotal roles in shaping the destinies of animal communities.

Similarly as with humans, conflicts are common place in the animal kingdom and often need strategic awareness or behaviour to either mitigate damages or succeed in one's goals.

In the second instalment of our series, we will explore animal conflicts and diplomacy in wildlife.