What Honeybees Can Teach Us About Democracy

The video explores the democratic process of honeybee colonies in selecting new nesting sites. Unlike monarchies, the queen bee does not make decisions; instead, worker bees vote on relocation. When a hive becomes overcrowded, a swarm forms, and experienced bees scout for potential sites. They communicate findings through a waggle dance, influencing others to inspect and vote. This collective decision-making ensures high-quality site selection, with studies showing a 99% success rate. Each bee independently evaluates sites, contributing to the colony's effective decision-making process.

What is the primary decision that a bee colony must make each year?

How do worker bees contribute to the decision-making process in a hive?

Describe the process of swarming in bee colonies.

What factors do scout bees consider when evaluating potential nesting sites?

What is the waggle dance and how does it influence the decision-making of bees?