Unfortunately, it is an inherent characteristic of our constitution. Every organism (single cell included) competes for its survival. DNA is constantly being repaired with what is called “junk DNA” in our system. In a sense, it is the “survival of the fittest,” and when two species occupy the same space, the weaker one will lose out. This activity of our cells creates the same emotional desire, and we express it in forms of competition.

However, humankind has incorporated social skills into our society and civilization. These skills are utilized to allow us to get along. People who are too competitive can affect the social environment, and people who are less competitive can affect advancement and production output. Over time, humankind has learned to distinguish between healthy competition and the hurtful type. The ability we have to acknowledge the difference can affect the social structure of an entire community.

Social cultural anthropology has come a long way to ascertain events and conditions that show results of competitive behaviour. Species have grown and some have been eliminated due to our competitive nature. At a time when H.erectus “walked out of Africa,” social skills were far from developed. Foraging, hunting, and gathering were competitive actions and only those who could adapt survived. This competitive activity is not exclusive to humans; primates, plants, and trees all possess the same characteristic. Thus, to argue that humans are not born to compete would be futile.

The question should really be, “Is it necessary to compete at all times?” Some people take competition very seriously, and some can become rather violent. As humans, we need to learn to control emotions that tend to make us constantly compete with our associates. As advanced as we’ve become in technology, we have declined in socialism. Capitalism fuels competition and makes it rather difficult to restrain ourselves from competing. The problem lies in the fact that not all countries are capitalistic and this complicates the competitive factor. Obviously we are referring to economics and not so much the sport concept of competition. Sports has been a way to ameliorate situations among competing countries and in some cases have even rectified misunderstandings.

Some people are born with physical disabilities and to eliminate them from the competitive picture would be terribly wrong. Their constitution is the same as those without physical disabilities and the desire to compete is just as prominent. Remember, competition is not so much a physical trait but rather an emotional characteristic that is either encouraged during the delicate years or discouraged throughout one’s entire life.  It would be wise to inspire competition, but care should be taken to avoid making it a mandate.