Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution - Kropotkin

This is a paper written by Peter Kropotkin in 1902, in the aftermath of the publication of Darwin's paper and within the context of the Russian revolution. Written partly in response to Social Darwinism and in particular to Thomas H. Huxley's Nineteenth Century essay, "The Struggle for Existence," Kropotkin's book drew on his experiences in scientific expeditions in Siberia to illustrate the phenomenon of cooperation. After examining the evidence of cooperation in nonhuman animals, "savages," "barbarians," in medieval cities, and in modern times, he concludes that cooperation and mutual aid are as important in the evolution of the species as competition and mutual strife , if not more so.
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