As nice as it would be to think egalitarian social structures represent human nature with the badness of hierarchical strivings stripped away. An innate goodness remains. However, human nature is likely quite plastic, and though we may wish that the more ideal state represents the more real, it is probably not the case. In his book on the subject, Christopher Boehm argues that the egalitarian social structure could be considered an inverse hierarchy.
“The argument here is that egalitarian societies constitute a very special type of hierarchy, one in which the rank and file avoid being subordinated by vigilantly keeping alpha-type group members under their collective thumbs.” (10)
Not only are there environments (social/economical) that tend to promote one type of social organization versus another, there are mechanisms that maintain each type. Consider the mechanisms to be tools. The interesting thing is that the tool kits used to build and maintain very different social structures can share quite a few elements. How they are used, of course, differs. For example, in a hierarchical social group, an alpha will keep his eye on who is treating whom in a favorable fashion. Alliances can pose a threat to his position as most dominant. In an egalitarian social group, allied members will keep on eye on how one individual is treating others, for domineering behavior poses a threat to their own non-subordinate positions. In more egalitarian human societies, there are tacit rules, in the least, that guide behaviors and the responses to them, so they do not threaten the group stability and harmony. There may also be more overt rules deliberately enacted to restrict the upward movement (accumulation of power) by individuals — usually males. (11) In a sense, equality is enforced. Which is a type of force, but a force wielded by many than by one or a scant few. While Christopher Boehm has done a lot of great work on the topic of egalitarian vs. hierarchical (more egalitarian vs. more hierarchical, in my book), I do disagree with the picture he paints in this quote:
