Altruism may be rewarded with prestige, but seldom with leadership

As the authors note”Altruism is a key component of a functioning society, but it is constantly in danger of being exploited. Social scientists have long sought a reasonable explanation for why altruism exists. One widely accepted assumption is that groups recognize altruistic contributions by conferring status on the generous person, whether that be through higher social rank, recognition, or simply respect. Yet this theory is not perfect, as it fails to explain why leaders who behave selfishly make it into power.”