Darwinism, dominance, and democracy : the biological bases of authoritarianism

Author(s)

• Somit, Albert
• Peterson, Steven A.

Bibliographic Information

Darwinism, dominance, and democracy : the biological bases of authoritarianism

Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson

（Human evolution, behavior, and intelligence / Seymour W. Itzkoff, series editor）

Praeger, 1997

Other Title

Darwinism, dominance & democracy

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [125]-137) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Somit and Peterson seek to explain two apparently contradictory yet well-established political phenomena: First, throughout human history, the vast majority of political societies have been authoritarian. Second, notwithstanding this pattern, from time to time, democracies do emerge and some even have considerable stability. A neo-Darwinian approach can help make sense of these observations. Humans—social primates—have an inborn bias toward authoritarian life, based on their tendency to engage in dominance behavior and the formation of dominance hierarchies. Reinforcing this bias is an impulse toward obedience. These factors are associated with the propensity of humans to accept authoritarian systems. Nonetheless, the authors argue, conditions of material abundance combined with another human characteristic—indoctrinability—can foster the emergence and maintenance of democracies. Somit and Peterson assert that an understanding of human nature from an evolutionary perspective can help to explain how and why political systems have developed. They conclude by pointing to policy implications that might enhance the odds of formation and continuation of democratic forms of government. Students and scholars of political science and philosophy, sociology, and human biology will find this an intriguing study.

Table of Contents

Introduction Prologue to a Predictably Unpopular Thesis Darwinism and Democracy: The Problem of the Missing Polity Democracy as Rara Avis: The Empirical Evidence Prerequisites of Democracy: Necessary but Not Quite Sufficient Will the Real Democracies Please Stand Up The Neo-Darwinian Case and Supporting Evidence Dominance and Hierarchy Obedience Indoctrinability Democratic Philosophy: From Ugly Duckling to Irresistible Swan Policy Policy Implications Epilogue References Index

by "Nielsen BookData"

• NCID: BA33576897
• ISBN:
  • 0275958175
• LCCN: 96036359
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Westport, Conn.
• Pages/Volumes: viii, 141 p.
• Size: 24 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : JA80
  • DC20 : 321.8/01
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Biopolitics
  • LCSH : Social Darwinism
  • LCSH : Authoritarianism
  • LCSH : Democracy
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA19724972