Is chimp politics like ours?

Question 1

alpha male

Answer 1

the most successful and powerful male in any group.

In human societies of course, not everyone gets to be a political leader. It’s usually the most powerful or ambitious person who becomes president. In chimpanzee society this is called the alpha male – the most successful and powerful male who leads the group.

Older males who are over the hill and cannot be alpha males any more, they start grooming a certain young male who they think has a future, and they may end up making that young male the alpha male with their help, meaning that they are essential to the power of that young male…

Question 2

over the hill

Answer 2

used to describe someone who is old and no longer useful or attractive.

Older males who are over the hill and cannot be alpha males any more, they start grooming a certain young male who they think has a future, and they may end up making that young male the alpha male with their help, meaning that they are essential to the power of that young male…
over the hill – a phrase describing someone who is old and no longer useful or attractive.

Question 3

the power behind the throne

Answer 3

someone who does not have official power but who secretly controls things.

Older chimps try to control younger males in order to maintain their own power and influence. In other words, they are the power behind the throne – an expression meaning someone with no official power but who secretly controls things in the background.
Another example of chimp politics is when several weaker males gang up and overthrow a stronger alpha male. By working together weaker chimps can increase their power and the benefits, like food, which power brings.

Question 4

coalition (of)

Answer 4

different political groups who join together for a limited time to form a government.

So, for example if you imagine three parties in a parliament, one big one and two small ones, you might think that naturally the most likely coalition is the big party with either one of the two small ones, whereas, in fact, minimum winning coalition prediction would suggest the two smaller ones should get together, …

These smaller parties could form a coalition – a collection of different political groups who unite for a limited time to form a government.
In human politics making coalitions improves your chances of winning an election.

Question 5

get together

Answer 5

join together as a group; combine.

Professor Hicks recommends that smaller political parties get together – join together in a group to combine their power.

So, for example if you imagine three parties in a parliament, one big one and two small ones, you might think that naturally the most likely coalition is the big party with either one of the two small ones, whereas, in fact, minimum winning coalition prediction would suggest the two smaller ones should get together, if …

Question 6

spoils

Answer 6

benefits, advantages or profits obtained by winning a war or being in a position of power.

because they can divide up the spoils between the two of them. Whereas, if either one of them form a coalition with a big party, the big party would dominate, and they wouldn’t get many of the spoils for themselves.

And in chimpanzee politics coalitions are a good way for young male chimps to defeat the alpha male and divide up the spoils between themselves. Here, the word spoils means the benefits obtained by winning a war or being in a strong position.
For ambitious alpha chimps the spoils might include getting first choice of food and female partners.