competitive or cooperative society

There are two competing views of how society should work, competitive and cooperative.  The competitive view is the Ayn Rand view, it's every man for himself and the best man wins.  It is the Spencer view of society, survival of the fittest.  The cooperative view is what every single religion teaches: We are responsible for each other, a moral society is one that takes care of its weakest members.  The competitive view is not simply wrong on the facts, it offends my sense of right and wrong.  It is wrong on the facts because successful people are generally have more luck and cheat better.  In spectacular economic times, perhaps we can afford a competitive society, now is not such a time.