In nature there prevail irreconcilable conflicts of interests.
The means of subsistence are scarce. Proliferation tends to
outrun subsistence. Only the fittest plants and animals survive.
The antagonism between an animal starving to death and another
that snatches the food away from it is implacable. Social
cooperation under the division of labor removes such
antagonisms. It substitutes partnership and mutuality for
hostility. The members of society are united in a common
venture. The term competition as applied to the conditions of
animal life signifies the rivalry between animals which
manifests itself in their search for food. We may call this
phenomenon biological competition. Biological competition must
not be confused with social competition, i.e., the striving of
individuals to attain the most favorable position in the system
of social cooperation. As there will always be positions which
men value more highly than others, people will strive for them
and try to outdo rivals. Social competition is conseq