Somewhere between facts and specious narratives lies speculation. I am not averse to dealing in speculation.
The only trait I attribute directly to evolutionary forces is a predisposition to interact. Since interaction is how a social structure emerges within a population, the emergence of a social structure depends on the exercise of an evolutionary predisposition. It is, therefore, indirectly attributable to evolution. It is a natural process.
How would a population become organized into a society otherwise?
I do not claim that the resulting structure is necessarily the “best.” Best is a subjective, individual judgment. Not everyone will agree on what is best.
Children are introduced into an existing structure and become participants therein. Much of their introduction is not done consciously. It occurs through directly observing and absorbing adults practicing the social protocols. Some of it is consciously taught.
Language is an obvious example. Language need not be consciously taught. It is absorbed through observation and interaction. Under normal circumstances, it is nearly impossible to prevent a child from acquiring the language spoken by those around him.
The introduction of children into society requires that a structure has been established. Both the introduction into and the establishment of an organized social structure require interaction and are therefore tied together into a process that begins with an evolved behavior (a predisposition to interact). It is a natural process.
The form in which a social structure emerges among members of a population is determined primarily, if not entirely, by the nature of the environment the population inhabits. Therefore, the process described above will likely result in different forms emerging in different populations.
