Our political nature : the evolutionary origins of what divides us / Avi Tuschman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Tuschman, Avi, 1979-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Personality and politics.

Social psychology.

Physical Description:

543 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Amherst, New York : Prometheus Books, 2013.

Summary:

"The first book to tell the natural history of political orientations. Our Political Nature is the first book to reveal the hidden roots of our most deeply held moral values. It shows how political orientations across space and time arise from three clusters of measurable personality traits. These clusters entail opposing attitudes toward tribalism, inequality, and differing perceptions of human nature. Together, these traits are by far the most powerful cause of left-right voting, even leading people to regularly vote against their economic interests. As this book explains, our political personalities also influence our likely choice of a mate, and shape society's larger reproductive patterns. Most importantly of all, it tells the evolutionary stories of these crucial personality traits, which stem from epic biological conflicts. Based on dozens of exciting new insights from primatology, genetics, neuroscience, and anthropology, this groundbreaking work brings core concepts to life through current news stories and personalities. For instance, readers will meet Glenn Beck and Hugo Chavez and come to understand the underlying evolutionary forces they represent. By blending serious research with relevant contemporary examples, Our Political Nature casts important light onto the ideological clashes that so dangerously divide and imperil our world today"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: Searching for the origin of political identity

The Burning Man of Tunisia

The Universal Political Animal

What Economics Can and Cannot Predict

The Invention of the Political Litmus Test

Unearthing the Three Roots of Political Orientation

Part One: Tribalism on the political spectrum

Ethnocentrism vs. Xenophilia

Religiosity vs. Secularism

Attitudes toward Sexuality, Homosexuality, and Gender Roles

Part Two: The biology of tribalism

When Outbreeding Is Fit and Inbreeding Isn't

When Inbreeding Is Fit and Outbreeding Isn't

How Optimal Mating Happens

Why Gender Inequality and Fertility Change across Human History

The Biology of War and Genocide

Part Three: Do we live in a just world?

Attitudes toward inequality and authority in society

Attitudes toward inezuality and authority within the family

Part Four: The biology of family conflict

Why sibling conflict occors and polarizes political personalities

Part Five: Are people by nature cooperative or competitive?

Sages through the Ages

Do Perceptions of Human Nature Change as We Age?

Part Six: Illumination our true human nature

The Conservative Altruism: Kin Selection

The Liberal Altruism: Reciprocity

Altruism across the Lifespan: The Neurological Development of Cynicism

The Altruism That Isn't: Self-Deception among People and Politicians

The Enigmatic Altruism of Heroic Rescuers

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781616148232

1616148233

OCLC:

828484155