Lord of the Flies

Although Ralph critcizes the boys for their lack of cooperation, does he bear some of the responsibilty for the failure of the group to achieve its goals?

It is fair to say that Ralph is and should be held partially responsible for the group's failure to achieve its goals.  He does not truly recognize the need for balance between work time and play time...these are, after all, just children.  However, he brings the initial failure of the group goals (water collection, fire watch, shelter building, etc.) on himself when he allows Jack to head the hunters.  This puts Jack in a position of power, and Jack uses it to the best of his ability to undermine Ralph's power.  Ralph and Piggy represent reason and logic on the island.  Simon represents innocence and reflection.  Without these things/people, Jack has complete control over the rest of the group.  By putting Jack in power, Ralph first loses Simon, then Piggy, and he is the last man standing to balance out the barbaric descent the boys have experienced under Jack's influence.