Question

People needed to cooperate to defend themselves against outside threats. One person or a small group took control. Strong leaders used violence and threats to bring people under their authority. What was the main reason for people to cooperate?

1) To protect themselves from outside threats
2) To gain power and control
3) To establish a peaceful society
4) To promote equality and justice

Answer 1

The primary reason for cooperation among people was to ensure collective protection from external threats, which led to the formation of government and social structures.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main reason for people to cooperate was to protect themselves from outside threats. As the need for protection became more evident, people realized that staying together in groups under the leadership of a strong authority facilitated safety and survival. Governments evolved from these early social structures, offering protection and law and order in exchange for allegiance and taxes, which in turn further reinforced social hierarchies and specialization of labor.

Throughout history, the nature and structure of government have changed with increasing population sizes. From small tribal gatherings to large kingdoms, the primary purpose of leadership was to maintain order, negotiate peace, and provide protection from external forces that sought to exploit the community's resources. Consequently, the need for organized defence against attacks from nomadic tribes or other warlike groups often led to the establishment of more complex governmental systems.