The failure to co-operate

The recent breakdown in co-operation between the coalition partners (BBC, 2012) left the political situation looking a little tense as the parties headed into the parliamentary recess. So far co-operation between the parties of government has moved a number of pieces of legislation through parliament - some controversial like the NHS Bill, some fairly positive such as the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

We have also seen co-operation between other parties on other campaigns. From referendum on AV to debate over Scottish Independence, multiple groups have come together on a number of issues more often than in recent parliaments. It has been an important factor of this parliament that co-operation has taken such a major role on the political scene.

But the cabinet reshuffle (BBC, Sept. 2012) seems suggestive that many in political circles are unhappy with these present conditions - conditions that require co-operation and consensus to move forward. In fact, the Tory right-wing appears to have been reinforced within the cabinet (Wintour & Watt, 2012), which serves to strengthen the representation of a number of conservative viewpoints around the cabinet table - from Euroscepticism to deficit reduction. This can only put more strain upon their Liberal Democrat partners in government.

The signs suggest the continuation of the Con-Lib coalition lasting beyond this parliament is getting ever more unlikely. They also suggest that various groups have hardened themselves against further co-operation. Largely, it seems, in hope for a return to the British majoritarian regimes of old.

The Labour party have, since the election, steered clear of tying themselves too tightly to any campaigns. The Tories have strengthened the presence of their right-wing in the cabinet. With Britain only two and a half years into its first coalition government in over 50 years, the country is very exposed to having a majoritarian relapse.

But it is worth keeping in mind the sentiments that led to a fractured political scene: the disenfranchisement, disaffection and disconnectedness that has  followed that system and which grew unchecked, with increasingly poor voter turnouts; and to consider this before being too willing to jump on the bandwagon once more.

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References:
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+ BBC's 'Nick Clegg: Lords reform plans to be abandoned'; 6 August 2012.

+ BBC's 'Cabinet reshuffle: David Cameron's new line-up'; 4 September 2012.

+ Patrick Wintour & Nicholas Watt's 'David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle'; in The Guardian; 4 September 2012.

We can work it out

In the Edgar Wright directed Scott Pilgrim vs the World, we see the protagonist constantly changing up his tactics to overcome the obstacles in his path. In order to date the girl of his dreams, slacker extraordinaire Scott Pilgrim must defeat her seven evil exes.

After overcoming the first opponent through his own skill, Scott soon finds himself over-matched. He makes up the difference with a combination of misdirection, trickery and a little help from his friends. However, despite relying upon their help he continues to focus on his own issues - largely to the detriment of his relationships with them, and particularly with his girlfriend Ramona.

His selfish attitude sparks a rift between himself and Ramona. Scott turns to three powerful (but possibly selfish) motivations to carry him through the fights with the last few exes: the power of jealousy, the power of love and the power of self-respect. They all play their part in helping him overcome his immediate obstacles. But they are never quite enough.

It is a common pop cultural theme that 'we get by with a little help from our friends'. Whether it's Luke who can't get it done without Han, Chewie, Leia and Ben, Frodo and the fellowship, or Harry Potter with Ron and Hermione, our heroes are shown time and again being assisted in their greatest personal achievements. They don't succeed as an isolated pillar casting off the shackles put on them by others, but by being liberated from those chains by the teaching, wisdom, love, compassion and support of others.

And it seems that when maths and evolutionary biology get together, their combined analysis is favourable to this pop cultural meme. Nowak & Highfield (2011) used game theory to propose that cooperation wins out because as a strategy - defined by being generous, hopeful and forgiving - our chances in zero-sum games are greatly improved.

'We are moulded and remoulded by those who have loved us; and though the love may pass, we are nevertheless their work, for good or ill.'        - Francois Mauriac (1925).

In the end Scott wins the respect of his peers by changing his ways - by removing himself from his selfish bubble and making personal sacrifices (most notably his ego) for the well-being of his friends. With this he achieves his goals and fosters a positive community that helps him thrive.

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References:
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+ Martin Nowak & Roger Highfield's 'Supercooperators: The mathematics of evolution, altruism and human behaviour'; April 2011.

+ The Beatles' 'With a Little Help From my Friends'; on Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band; 1967.

+ Francois Mauriac's 'Le Désert de l'amour' (The Desert of Love); 1925.