In the Arrow on the Doorpost episode the Governor makes Rick a horrible proposition.
Give up Michonne and the war is over. Everyone else will be left alone.
Let’s take the obvious fact that we know that the Governor is lying about the agreement out of the equation and assume this was a legit offer.
Question 1: Would you trade one “new” member of your group to save everyone else?
Question 2: Is there a difference if that person was lost in combat against walkers to save everyone versus being sacrificed?
Question 3: Would the group survive having one of their members given up to pay for their lives?
My thoughts:
Question 1: Would you trade one “new” member of your group to save everyone else?
No, I think that the only way to survive in a post apocalyptic environment is to keep a small but tight knit group. If you handed over any of the members of the group I think unit cohesion would fall apart.
Question 2: Is there a difference if that person was lost in combat against walkers to save everyone versus being sacrificed?
Yes – losing someone to a walker is completely different. Handing them over is ruthless and cold hearted. Better to fight or run than pacify an enemy by handing him one of your people.
Question 3: Would the group survive having one of their members given up to pay for their lives?
No. Survival in such a horrible environment comes down to mental toughness and I think that if you handed over one of your people, the psychic damage would destroy the group.