Study Suggests Theory for Insect Colonies as 'Superorganisms'

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Some insect societies can become "superorganisms" because of the fact that, in some species, the insects in a colony are all genetically related and only one reproduces. Since they all share genes, the only genes that are passing have to pass through the queen. Hence, if you're a gene, you help make a worker who selflessly helps the queen or you die out.
Humans are not in this situation. So while humans do cooperate for shared benefit, there are many times when competition suits the individual/family unit better than cooperating with the larger, unrelated group. So a mixture of cooperation and competition has evolved.

Anon of OR 8:48PM January 21, 2010

Okay, it looks as if society was programmed into humans by nature, the same as the insects. So we are not as smart as we think we are. Unlike insects, human individuals think twice before giving up their lives for the common good; WAR is an example of what insects do and is the same for the human species.

Robert L. Matarainen of NY 3:04PM January 21, 2010