...and communism is an ideal?

I'd agree with Clive we ate social and not completely selfish. Hence why we feel sorry for others.
Unfortunately there 7 billion people in our monkey pack, and it relying on all of us not to be greedy isn't going to work.

 

I remember studying a book back by an evolutionary biologist while in school; he voiced the idea that if you have a large group of altruists in once place, it just makes it easier for someone to come along and exploit the group. It was an interesting book overall, but I can't remember the name of the author (I think it was George something).

I've read articles by various EBs who have posited the idea that there is very little true altruism in ape social groups. Tere is usually an expectation of a return of services, support for social positioning, or breeding rights.

 

George Osbourne?