Governor Appoints Ex-Aide to Fill Kerry’s Seat

Por: José Alexander Contreras Lara

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/us/politics/boston-lawyer-chosen-for-kerrys-senate-seat.html?ref=politics. The governor from Boston Deval Patrick appointed William Cowan as the temporary senator until a successor is elected for John F Kerry. Cowan will be the first African American to represent Massachusetts since 1966 and has helped increase diversity in the government’s institutions.

It is possible that former senator Scott Brown will be Hillary Clinton’s successor as Secretary of State if he wins for the third time, becoming the junior senator to Elizabeth Warren, his former opponent.

The only Democratic candidate in the race so far is liberal Edward J. Markey, who might run against conservative democrat Stephen F. Lynch

According to F. de Waal’s “Chimpanzee Politics”, the social-political structure of chimpanzees is extremely similar to the human mechanisms of reciprocity, strategic intelligence and triadic awareness. Observations of the Arnhem colony proved that leadership changes weren’t decided by fights, the new Chimpanzee leader was granted his position by the others, which means that just like senator Cowan, the Chimpanzee leader was chosen.

The structure of the U.S senate shows hierarchy, as well as the Chimpanzees political one, the only difference is they showed it by who sat on the highest drum.

Applying the principle of Gestalt perception, it is important to recognize the political, social and behavioral patterns of interaction of humans and Chimpanzees to perceive the logic in their structures to predict often repetitive behavior. Communication plays an essential political role for both Chimpanzees and humans as well. For example, communication allowed the alliance between Cowan and Patrick and it may lead to coalitions or an alliance as well in the chimpanzee world.

Patterns of social interaction among Chimpanzees show that the more individuals involved in a conflict, the more aggressive it will become. Comparing it to the political race between Brown, Markey and Lynch, we can conclude that the complexity, rivalry and “aggressiveness” of their campaign will increase as do the number of competitors. The coalition can be related to opposing political parties for the human species, and in the physical conflicts between Chimpanzees because they selectively choose to participate; as well as the common front they put up against opponents. Like humans, Chimpanzees use intelligent social manipulation mechanisms to coerce others to support or chose them as leaders.

On the other hand, “side-directed behavior” between Chimpanzees is similar to the alliance between Cowan and Patrick in the manner that both species seek reassurance and support.

Conclusion:In brief, the similarities between the behavior of Chimpanzees and humans aren’t only political, but social, rational and emotional. This is proven by the need of reconciliation, alliances, communication, the formalization of political ranks, an established political hierarchy as a cohesive factor and social manipulation to secure influential positions. On the other hand, differences include less stability in social relationships, allegiance fickleness, a balanced power system for Chimpanzees based on coalitions and the exchange of social favors as their economic system.