Warlike and Peaceful Societies: The Interaction of Genes and Culture

Abstract

4. Different Kinds of War in Human Historyviolent overthrow of a despotic ruler. 90 The outcome of a revolution also depends on whether important resources can be monopolized. Where industrialization has produced great concentrations of economic power in the form of large factories, mines, oil fields, and heavy infrastructure, a revolutionary regime is likely to seize these resources in its drive for power and create an autocratic regime. But when the sources of wealth are widely dispersed in the form of farmland, small shops, and artisan businesses, the revolutionary regime cannot seize control of the economy. In such cases, the likely result is a less centralized regime. 91 These historical findings confirm the theory of contest competition versus scramble competition discussed in chapter 3.1. Concentrated resources that can be monopolized and defended by a group are more likely to lead to a centralized government and a regal society than widely dispersed resources.

A Test of the Reproducibility of the Clustering of Cultural Variables

“…Regality theory is a branch of evolutionary psychology that seeks to explain various psychological and cultural reactions to perceived collective danger (Fog, 2017). Regality theory is based on the assumption that war or intergroup conflict in prehistory has been a strong evolutionary force shaping human psychology.…”

Behavioural inhibition and valuation of gain/loss are neurally distinct from approach/withdrawal

“…When the process is started, it may lead to a continuous growth of territory and a more and more regal culture, until the possibilities for expansion have been exhausted and the empire collapses under its own weight (Turchin 2007). The strong group identification and other regal traits are seen not only under defensive conditions, but also in the clearly offensive case of an expanding empire (Fog 2017).…”

The political complexity of attack and defense

“…Instead, they will develop an egalitarian and tolerant culture. These two opposing cultural tendencies are called regal and kungic, respectively, for the warlike and peaceful conditions (Fog 2017). The regal tendencies can be observed in groups in offensive and defensive situations alike because collective action is needed in both situations.…”