Dr. Jonathan Goodman, a social scientist from the University of Cambridge, has released a new book titled "Invisible Rivals," published by Yale University Press. In this work, Dr. Goodman discusses the issue of individuals exploiting human cooperation for personal gain, which he refers to as "free-riding." He argues that although societies have attempted to eliminate free-riders throughout history, human evolution has only made them more adept at concealing their actions.
Dr. Goodman explains that humans have evolved to use language not only to cooperate but also to disguise selfish behavior and exploit cooperative systems. This "invisible rivalry" is linked to a collapse in trust and the rise of political figures such as Donald Trump, whom Goodman describes as the "Julius Caesar of our time."
"We see this happening today," Goodman says, suggesting that these patterns have been predicted since the origins of life and will continue to evolve. He further argues that humanity's transition from ancient dominant leaders resulted in a shift from overt selfishness to more covert manipulation within society.
Goodman identifies free-riding behaviors in various contexts, including benefits cheating, tax evasion, climate change inaction by countries, and unethical actions by business leaders and politicians. He warns: “We can’t stop people free-riding; it’s part of our nature.” However, he suggests designing policies that acknowledge this inherent trait could lead to societal improvement.
The book delves into lessons from human ancestors who lived in small groups with social norms governing resource distribution. These norms maintained equality but failed to eradicate free-riding due to evolving linguistic abilities that facilitated deception.
Addressing modern challenges, Goodman notes the ineffectiveness of risk-pooling systems in today's globalized economy where intangible assets are predominant. He calls for education and self-awareness as tools for distinguishing credible individuals from exploiters.
Goodman also emphasizes exposing rather than punishing free-riders: “Loss of social capital through reputation is an important motivator for anyone.” He believes journalistic efforts highlighting exploitation can drive behavioral change similarly to criminal punishment.
"The dilemma each of us faces now," Goodman concludes, "is whether to confront invisible rivalry or let exploiters undermine society until democracy unravels."
Dr. Jonathan R. Goodman is associated with Cambridge Public Health and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. His book "Invisible Rivals: How We Evolved to Compete in a Cooperative World" was released on June 17, 2025.