The Universal Struggle to Dominate and Control

The impulse to dominate and control has shaped human societies, relationships, and institutions across history. However, whether this drive is truly universal or context-dependent is a subject of debate among scholars, psychologists, and social theorists.

• : Dominance hierarchies are observed in many animal species, including primates. In humans, dominance often manifests through coercive control, aggression, and the extraction of deference from others. This can lead to increased social influence and access to resources1.

• : Human societies exhibit both dominance-based and prestige-based pathways to status. Dominance is rooted in the ability to inflict costs or withhold benefits, while prestige is based on knowledge, skill, and generosity. Both routes can coexist, but dominance is often tempered by social norms and cultural factors1.

• Social Norms and Egalitarianism: Unlike other primates, human groups—especially hunter-gatherers—have developed norms that suppress overt dominance, favoring egalitarianism and cooperation. Aggressive or domineering individuals may face social sanctions, limiting the unchecked rise of dominance-based hierarchies1.

• : The drive to dominate and control has often been associated with masculine ideals, particularly in patriarchal societies. The pursuit of mastery over others, nature, and resources is frequently celebrated as a sign of manhood, while women and marginalized groups have historically been subjected to this dynamic2.

• : The belief in ultimate control—over nature, societies, or individuals—is often an illusion. Attempts to dominate can have dangerous consequences, such as environmental destruction or social unrest. The illusion persists, fueled by greed and the psychological rewards of power, but is increasingly challenged by evidence of its limitations and harms23.

• : For some individuals, especially those with psychopathic tendencies, the need to dominate and control others may be a core motivator, particularly in leadership roles4.

• : Theories like Social Dominance Theory explore how societies maintain group-based hierarchies, often resulting in systemic inequalities and oppression5.

• : Throughout history, the struggle against domination has fueled liberation movements and efforts to achieve greater equality and self-determination for oppressed groups6.

• : While dominance and control are powerful forces in many contexts, they are not universal human characteristics. Cultural, gender, and ecological factors significantly influence how, when, and why individuals or groups seek to dominate. Many societies and individuals prioritize cooperation, mutual aid, and egalitarian values over domination21.

• : The expression of dominance is adaptive and context-dependent. It can be muted or amplified by social structures, cultural evolution, and the presence of strong egalitarian norms1.

: The struggle to dominate and control is a pervasive but not universal aspect of human societies. It is shaped by evolutionary, psychological, cultural, and gendered factors, and is continually challenged by social norms, resistance movements, and the realities of interconnected life on Earth216.

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8743883/
2. https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/the-patriarchal-illusion-of-control/
3. https://www.reddit.com/r/philosophy/comments/1d52k6u/human_dominance_is_a_fact_not_a_debate/
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135917892100104X
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_dominance_theory
6. https://www.bostonreview.net/forum_response/against-domination/
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oizS7rbwCXM
8. https://jspp.psychopen.eu/index.php/jspp/article/view/4745/4745.html
9. https://www.additudemag.com/not-listening-adhd-relationships-communication-impulsivity/