Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes by Frans de Waal

Frans de Waal’s seminal work, Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes, has been a touchstone of the primatological field since it was first published in 1982. Long before Jane Goodall made her famous discoveries of the chimpanzee’s tool-using abilities, De Waal had charted the social dynamics in a study colony of chimpanzees at the Arnhem Zoo in The Netherlands. Chimpanzee Politics is an account of the chimps’ social structure, with a focus on the power dynamics between individual males as they compete for rank and sexual partners throughout the group.

The book begins by introducing the reader to the Arnhem chimpanzees: Luit, the dominant male; Yeroen, a safe second; Nikkie, a naughty adolescent; and four females who form the social center of the colony. De Waal then documents the power struggles between Luit and Yeroen, and how their positions of dominance in the colony are adjusted through alliances and political maneuvering.

The ethnographer’s eye for behavior helps to illuminate the sometimes subtle interactions between individuals. For instance, de Waal argues that Luit and Yeroen often saccade their eyes back and forth as a kind of silent language to connive peace. Additionally, de Waal is careful to draw parallels between his observations of chimpanzee behavior and human behavior as well – such as the use of grooming to form alliances or the connection between power and sexual access.

Chimpanzee Politics explores in-depth the fascinating lives of these captive apes. Frans de Waal’s scientific eye provides insight into both the animal behavior and the potential implications of the behavior for humans. De Waal expands the metaphor of animal politics to humans, observing the power plays that humans use in their daily life. The author is quick to warn against hasty claims of human-ape similarities, but also invites readers to explore the implications of ape behavior on our own.

The book’s ultimate success relies on de Waal’s use of careful observation and note-taking that allows him to construct a narrative around the chimpanzees. Detailed line drawings, based on de Waal’s observations, help to illustrate important events and interactions between the apes.

Written for a general audience, Chimpanzee Politics is an engaging and accessible exploration of animal behavior. Through meticulous observation and analysis, de Waal allows us to witness and appreciate the intricate complexities of the animals’ social world. A must-read for primatology enthusiasts and armchair anthropologists alike, Chimpanzee Politics offers exceptional insight into the behavior of our closest living relatives.