--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An ESS is stable, not because it is…" description: "\"“An ESS is stable, not because it is particularly good for the individuals participating in it, but simply because it is immune to treachery from withi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/richard-dawkins-115_quote_an-ess-is-stable-not-because-it-is-parti_849412.jpg" --- # An ESS is stable, not because it is particularly good for… ![“An ESS is stable, not because it is particularly good for the individuals participating in it, but simply because it is immune to treachery from within.” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/richard-dawkins-115_quote_an-ess-is-stable-not-because-it-is-parti_849412.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/richard-dawkins-115_quote_an-ess-is-stable-not-because-it-is-parti_849412.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d8/richard-dawkins-115_quote_an-ess-is-stable-not-because-it-is-parti_849412.jpg) > ““An ESS is stable, not because it is particularly good for the individuals participating in it, but simply because it is immune to treachery from within.”” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A stable economic system (ESS) persists not because it benefits individuals, but because it resists internal betrayal. **In simple terms:** Stability comes from resistance to internal treachery. Key Takeaway Design systems that prevent internal betrayal. Themes economics stability trust Mood analytical critical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - corporate governance - cryptocurrency - cooperatives - public policy Key Concepts game theory institutional design collective action Questions to Reflect On - Can stability coexist with individual benefit? - What safeguards prevent internal treachery? A Different Perspective Stability may ignore individual welfare. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ess Stable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ess-stable-732628/) [Good Individuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-individuals-732630/) [Stable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stable/) [Stable Particularly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stable-particularly-732629/) [Treachery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treachery/) ## Related quotes > [“But suppose they are correct. Suppose we grant that there is always some good when individuals—even Bardwell—harmonize their actions with their moral convictions. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corvino/but-suppose-they-are-correct-suppose-we-grant-that-there-is-always/) [John Corvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corvino/) > [It may seem to your conceited to suppose that you can do anything important toward improving the lot of mankind. 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