Does evolutionary theory explain tribalism and human warfare?
If I might provide a somewhat layman’s perspective – as I haven’t studied evolution academically – I would think that war is pretty much a given based on evolutionary theory. The idea is that evolution is competition based and is all about propagating one’s genes, in order to pass on one’s genetic traits. If your concern is reproduction then cooperation within a tribe or smaller community type situations where everyone knows everyone creates a level of safety from incursion that couldn’t be had on one’s own with a family to protect, through things like community child care and division of tasks. In a community group there then manifest group needs and goals that are mutual between every member of the tribe. These group interests then lead to competition with other similarly organized groups.
