Why do some people cheat the system and thrive—while others play fair and fall behind? A new book argues that evolution may hold the uncomfortable answer.
Key Points at a Glance
- Evolution made humans experts at hiding selfishness using language
- Modern free-riders—from tax cheats to climate dodgers—exploit this ancient flaw
- Trust has become harder to navigate in an era of ‘invisible rivals’
- Education and exposure—not punishment—may be key to societal resilience
From tax evasion to benefit fraud and unchecked political power, our world is rife with examples of individuals who exploit systems of cooperation. But what if this isn’t just a societal failure—what if it’s biological destiny? In Invisible Rivals, Dr Jonathan Goodman of the University of Cambridge explores how evolution may have wired us to cheat, deceive, and manipulate trust, arguing that the survival of democracy hinges on our ability to understand—and confront—these deep-seated instincts.
Drawing from evolutionary biology and modern politics, Goodman explains that early humans developed language not just to collaborate but also to conceal self-interest. Our ancestors overthrew dominant leaders, only to evolve subtler forms of selfishness: ones cloaked in cooperation and camouflaged in trust. Today, this evolutionary legacy manifests in powerful ways, from corporate greed to global inaction on climate change.
“We see this happening today, as evidenced by the rise of the Julius Caesar of our time—Donald Trump,” Goodman writes, suggesting that political strongmen succeed not in spite of human nature, but because of it.
He challenges both extremes of social theory: those who believe humans are fundamentally good and those who insist we’re selfish to the core. Instead, Goodman insists we’re both—and that only by recognizing this dual nature can we build better societies. “If we accept that we all have this ancient flaw, this ability to deceive ourselves and others, we can design policies around that,” he argues.
The book uses examples from history and modern society to illustrate how invisible rivalry works. In small tribal societies, cheating was hard—resources like food and tools were tangible and visible. In today’s globalized world, most of our assets are digital or abstract, making it easier than ever to hide wealth, dodge responsibility, and manipulate appearances.
Goodman urges that instead of blind trust or total cynicism, we need educated skepticism. “Our most important tool is education,” he states. Teaching people how to assess credibility, resist manipulation, and recognize deception is key to defending democracy from internal erosion.
Interestingly, Goodman doesn’t advocate harsh punishment for exploiters. He points to social reputation and journalistic exposure as powerful motivators for reform. “Loss of social capital can drive behavior change as effectively as criminal sentences,” he notes. In a digital age where narratives shape perception, reputation is a form of currency—and exposure, a form of justice.
Ultimately, Invisible Rivals is a call to action. It invites us to examine our evolutionary inheritance not as an excuse, but as a starting point for social evolution. By acknowledging the free-rider within, we may be able to redesign institutions, education, and policy to build a world where cooperation isn’t a mask—but a shared mission.
Source: University of Cambridge
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