The article discusses the role of the basal ganglia in resolving conflicts over access to limited motor and cognitive resources in vertebrates. It proposes that the basal ganglia function as a centralised selection device, capable of resolving conflicts between competing systems. The article reviews various selection architectures, including hierarchical and distributed models, and suggests that the basal ganglia may employ a combination of these mechanisms to achieve efficient selection. The basal ganglia's functional anatomy is described, highlighting its connections to the cortex, thalamus, and other brain regions. The article also discusses the role of dopamine in regulating switching and the importance of appropriate dominance relationships in selection. The basal ganglia's ability to support winner-take-all functionality is highlighted, as well as its role in maintaining or increasing tonic inhibitory output to non-selected channels. The article concludes that the basal ganglia provide a specialised, central selection mechanism for resolving conflicts between competing systems in the vertebrate brain.The article discusses the role of the basal ganglia in resolving conflicts over access to limited motor and cognitive resources in vertebrates. It proposes that the basal ganglia function as a centralised selection device, capable of resolving conflicts between competing systems. The article reviews various selection architectures, including hierarchical and distributed models, and suggests that the basal ganglia may employ a combination of these mechanisms to achieve efficient selection. The basal ganglia's functional anatomy is described, highlighting its connections to the cortex, thalamus, and other brain regions. The article also discusses the role of dopamine in regulating switching and the importance of appropriate dominance relationships in selection. The basal ganglia's ability to support winner-take-all functionality is highlighted, as well as its role in maintaining or increasing tonic inhibitory output to non-selected channels. The article concludes that the basal ganglia provide a specialised, central selection mechanism for resolving conflicts between competing systems in the vertebrate brain.