Coalition Formation & Dynamics
Coalition size multiplies individual influence exponentially.
Individual strength matters less than coalition building. The strongest chimp loses to coordinated weaker chimps. The mathematics are universal.
As cognitive capacity increases, pure physical dominance becomes insufficient. In chimpanzee troops, the physically strongest male becomes alpha only 41% of the time. The majority of alpha positions go to males who excel at 'political intelligence' - building coalitions, managing relationships, and knowing when not to fight. A 150-pound chimp with three allies defeats a 200-pound chimp alone.
At Arnhem Zoo: Single combat determined alpha status in only 23% of successions; coalition-based overthrows accounted for 77%. Average coalition size needed: 2.3 individuals. Success rate when outnumbered but allied: 71%. Larger coalitions beat smaller ones exponentially due to Lanchester's Square Law.
Business Application of Coalition Formation & Dynamics
Coalition size multiplies individual influence exponentially. Three VP-level allies who coordinate effectively can defeat two C-level opponents. Building leadership coalitions is more valuable than accumulating individual power. Microsoft's Nadella succeeded by building coalitions across formerly warring divisions.
Coalition Formation & Dynamics Appears in 2 Chapters
At Arnhem Zoo, 77% of alpha successions came from coalition-based overthrows, not single combat - political intelligence trumps physical dominance.
Coalitions in alpha dynamics →Coalition mathematics: two weak players coordinated defeat a strong individual. Tit-for-tat emerges when future relationship value exceeds immediate defection gains.
The mathematics of coalition formation →