This tended to increase the size of societies because…
““This tended to increase the size of societies because contests of violence more often than not were won by the larger group.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Larger groups often win violent contests, causing societies to expand as power concentrates.
In simple terms: Big groups dominate conflicts, prompting societal growth.
Beware of power concentration.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military strategy
- urban development
- resource competition
- social movements
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does size affect moral responsibility?
- What mechanisms can limit dominance of large groups?
Scale can also bring inefficiency.