hierarchy and politics the never-ending story. It was a classic struggle for power. The only

thing that made it different from the usual dramas of royal courts, parliamentary meetings or

corridors of power was that it took place in the Berger's Zoo in Arnhem, Holland, and the key

characters were male chimpanzees.

Franz de Wals' study chimpanzee politics has rightly become a classic.

In it, he describes how the alpha male, Yerowin, having been the dominant force for some time,

found himself increasingly challenged by a young pretender, Luit. Luit couldn't depose

Yerowen on his own. So he formed an alliance with another young contender, Nicky.

Eventually, Luit succeeded and Yerowen was deposed. Luit was good at his job. He was skilled

at peacekeeping within the group. He stood up for the underdog and as a result was widely respected. The females recognized his leadership qualities and were always ready to groom him and let him play with their children. Yerouin had nothing to gain by opposing him. He was already too old to become alpha male again.

Nonetheless, Yerouin decided to join forces with the young Nicky. One night they caught

Luit unawares and killed him. The deposed alpha male had his revenge.

Reading the story, I thought of the story of Hillel in Pirke Avut,

where it says he saw a skull floating upon the water and said, because you drowned others,

you were drowned, and those who drowned you will themselves be drowned. In fact, so human-like

were the power struggles among the chimpanzees that in 1995, Newt Gingrich, Republican Speaker of the House

of Representatives, included DeWald's book chimpanzee politics among the 25 books. He recommended

young congressional Republicans to read. Kerach was a graduate of the same Machiavellian school of politics.

He understood the three ground rules.

First, you have to be a populist.

Play on people's discontents.

And make it seem as if you're on their side against the current leader.

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