Comment on James A. Montanye's "Apotheosis of American Democracy".

• Author: Simon, Xavier L.
• Position: CONTROVERSY

In "The Apotheosis of American Democracy" (The Independent Review 11, no. 1 [2007]: 5-17), James A. Montanye's characterization of some collateral predispositions of cooperation and reciprocity--and more generally of some behavioral consequences of genes--as "harmful" and as "flaws" is troubling when put forward in an essay that starts by positing an evolutionary process wherein "[s]ocieties strike initial balances, which then evolve differently to accommodate changing local circumstances" (p. 6). In developing his rationale, Montanye sometimes ignores the balancing mechanisms that form the basis of much of his argument and are mentioned in the same paragraph. Human nature is a dynamic and nonlinear complex system of interconnected elements governed by feedback, both positive and negative (in the mathematical sense). Nature, in its wisdom, continuously tries new solutions through evolution and discards those that do not fit the environment. What Montanye considers overshooting is only nature's attempt to learn by trial and error. Positive and negative feedback mechanisms balance each other, but new components are being tested and adopted all along. Trial and error, with overshooting on both sides, helps to find a new balance. The business cycle is one example of this mechanism.

Instead of considering seemingly undesirable collateral predispositions to be harmful and flawed, we should make every effort to understand their role. Only then should we try to replace them with something better. Social scientists, however, often try to eliminate the "flaws" long before they are able to provide better substitutes. The result frequently is a new and less desirable balance that can make matters worse.

For example, development practitioners acting out of worthy and laudable motives bring new cures to countless millions of the poor only to extend their numbers, life, and misery. At the same time, they deny the poor certain solutions and technology on grounds of economic efficiency, often based on parameters from developed economies. The methodology and intent are good and highly rational, but in their application the practitioners fail to take account of local realities in all relevant dimensions.

The balance between cooperation and independent pursuits is far more complex than Montanye recognizes. It is not unlikely that cooperative hunting behaviors resulted in higher success rates for early man. Evolution thus favored those who cooperated in certain...