Evolution as a Theory For Political Behavior

Abstract

The recognition of biological differences as an important explanatory and predictive element in political behavior has created the need to integrate various models from a variety of fields into a more cohesive theoretical framework. The ostensibly perplexing coexistence of individual differences in the face of universal human design needs to be reconciled. Here we introduce evolution as a theory of political behavior, which allows for the combination of familial socialization, cultural norms, environmental stimuli, rational action and endogenous or innate influences.

Genetic Influences on Political Ideologies: Twin Analyses of 19 Measures of Political Ideologies from Five Democracies and Genome-Wide Findings from Three Populations

“…The notion of a genetically informed model of attitudes and ideology, understood as a psychological disposition that guides behavior, independent of, and interacting with, social forces presented a fundamental challenge to the dominant rational choice and behaviorist social science paradigms (for a review see Hatemi and McDermott 2011a). Yet, despite the growing body of evidence that genetic factors play an important role in the development and maintenance of political attitudes (Loehlin 1993; Posner et al 1996; Hatemi et al 2007; Hatemi, Funk, et al 2009; Hatemi, Medland, et al 2009; Eaves et al 2011; Hatemi, Dawes, et al 2011; Cranmer and Dawes 2012; Hatemi 2012; Hatemi, Eaves, et al 2012; Hatemi and McDermott 2012a; Orey and Park 2012; Smith et al 2012), the role of genetic influences on individual differences remains largely absent in the greater discourse on political ideology.…”

“…Yet, despite the growing body of evidence that genetic factors play an important role in the development and maintenance of political attitudes (Loehlin 1993; Posner et al 1996; Hatemi et al 2007; Hatemi, Funk, et al 2009; Hatemi, Medland, et al 2009; Eaves et al 2011; Hatemi, Dawes, et al 2011; Cranmer and Dawes 2012; Hatemi 2012; Hatemi, Eaves, et al 2012; Hatemi and McDermott 2012a; Orey and Park 2012; Smith et al 2012), the role of genetic influences on individual differences remains largely absent in the greater discourse on political ideology. Rather, the literature in the social sciences regarding the development and transmission of political values, remains largely focused on social and cultural mechanisms and the belief that human beings long ago transcended any genetic history that guides social behavior.…”

“…Behavior genetic approaches have also inspired philosophical objections due to the firm belief that behavioral differences are entirely socialized. Several publications in the political science literature have begun to erode this view and explicate the theoretical and empirical justification for inclusion of genetic influences and biological mechanisms in general, including gene-environment interplay (Alford et al 2005; Hatemi et al 2007; Fowler et al 2008; Fowler and Schreiber 2008; Hatemi, Funk, et al 2009; Hatemi, Medland, et al 2009; Medland and Hatemi 2009; Hatemi et al 2010; Boardman 2011; Boardman et al 2011; Hatemi, Dawes, et al 2011; Hatemi, Gillespie, et al 2011; Hatemi and McDermott 2011b; Boardman et al 2012; Hatemi, Byrne, et al 2012; Hatemi, Eaves, et al 2012; Hatemi and McDermott 2012b; Hatemi and McDermott 2012c; Fowler and Dawes 2013). Nevertheless, normative criticisms of twin models, often couched in the equal environments assumption emerged, recapitulating the debates of decades ago (Charney 2008a).…”

“…Thus, so far only two genome wide studies published have attempted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) responsible for variation in measures of political attitudes using small samples. Hatemi, Gillespie, et al (2011), relying on genome wide linkage of 13,000 individuals assessed for political attitudes, found 3 genomic regions putatively containing quantitative trait loci accounting for some 8-13 percent of the variation in Liberalism-Conservatism. The significant and suggestive regions included genes thought to be part of the dopaminergic, serotoninergic, NMDA and olfactory pathways.…”

Causation and Behavior: The Necessity and Benefits of Incorporating Evolutionary Thinking into Political Science

“…Recognizing a “new” set of causal contributors triggers an unresolved, and often avoided, question in political science: What is politics ? Furthermore, the contribution of biological and social factors requires a significantly more complex understanding of behavioral development and expression than is traditionally used (Hatemi and McDermott, 2011; Tooby and Cosmides, 1990). This added complexity is, in part, a consequence of the inclusion of evolutionary principles that necessarily accompany the recognition of biological influences (Dobzhansky, 1973).…”