Genes and Politics

A New Explanation and Evaluation of Twin Study Results and Association Studies in Political Science

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6331340
AutoresDoron Shultziner (0000-0002-3370-2194, Tel Aviv University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2013
Volumen21
Número3
Páginas350-367
Fecha de publicación2013-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPolitical Analysis (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1047-1987 • E-ISSN: 1476-4989
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/pan/mps035
OpenAlexW2000951471
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas16
Referencias citadas84

This article offers a new explanation for the results of twin studies in political science that supposedly disclose a genetic basis for political traits. I argue that identical twins tend to be more alike than nonidentical twins because the former are more similarly affected by the same environmental conditions, but the content of those greater trait similarities is nevertheless completely malleable and determined by particular environments. The twin studies method thus can neither prove nor refute the argument for a genetic basis of political traits such as liberal and conservative preferences or voting turnout. The meaning of heritability estimates results in twin studies are discussed, as well as the definition and function of the environment in the political science twin studies. The premature attempts to associate political traits with specific genes despite countertrends in genetics are also examined. I conclude by proposing that the alternative explanation of this article may explain certain puzzles in behavioral genetics, particularly why social and political traits have higher heritability estimates than common physical and medical traits. I map the main point of disagreements with the methodology and the interpretation of its results, and delineate the main operative implications for future research

Argument (complex analysis · Association (psychology · Behavioural genetics · Biology · Economics · Heritability · Interpretation (philosophy · Meaning (existential · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Trait · Twin study · Voting · Voting behavior · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Genetics · Law · Social Psychology