group selection

Group selection refers to >VSR processes operating in hierachically ordered >populations of entities or actors. Groups become a unit of selection, if some relations between their members constitute a higher-level interactor, and if the structure of the interaction is stored and reproduced in time, i.e. if there is a replicator generating the group-level structure.

In economic systems, an important general case of group selection results from the coordination of behavior by a rule that is specific to the group, and which determines their performance relative to groups with other rules. This case has been particularly emphasized by Hayek. Another case is the integration of control by a powerful actor, who at the same time produces a public good exclusive to the group. There are different possible replicators, with >culture being the foremost.

In biology, group selection is a highly controversial topic and is rejected by the mainstream. The controversy ist mostly related to the original idea that group selection necessarily implies genetic altruism. However, this is by no means a necessary condition. Group selection always arises from functional and synergistic integration within larger units of organisms. One way to formalize this is >hypercyclic interaction. In human groups, this means that non-altruistic powerful dominance of particular individuals may lead to increased differential success of powerful individuals relative to other group members, yet at the same time to increased average reproductive success of group members relative to non-members. Hence, in EE the concept is undisputably relevant because of the many mechanisms how actors can form groups and because of clearly identifyable replicator/interactor relations.

Basic References

The classic on group selection in EE is:
F.A. von Hayek, The Fatal Conceit. The Errors of Socialism, Chicago: Chicago University Press, 1989.

For an important recent biological restatement of the theoretical foundations of group selection see:
E. Sober and D.S. Wilson, Unto Others: The Evolution and Psychology of Unselfish Behavior, Cambridge and London: Harvard University Press.

Some information about their theory is accessible via
Wilson's website

Semantic Field
VSR-mechanism   group
group selection   culture