Previous: How Inequality Began According to Brian Hayden, the game changing factor is surplus. While there must have been "aggrandizer" personalities in egalitarian groups, conditions of scarcity kept their greedier inclinations in check. If anyone's behavior violated the group's norms of fairness, they were booted out. Excommunication from the group was a virtual death sentence—for the crime of failing to cooperate with friends and family. While this may seem harsh from today's perspective, it was necessary for the group to survive. As scarcity transitioned to plenty, the ... Read More