Human Nature and Public Policy: An Evolutionary Approach

by A. Somit (editor), S. Peterson

The essays in this collection explore the implications that the growing challenge from "evolutionary" concepts of human nature have in various policyareas and show what must be done to ensure that policies conform to humanbehavior and its limits for change. As our conceptualizations of humanbehavior switch from one that says human behavior is a product of culture(through learning and socialization) to one that claims that behavior isthe outcome of both cultyre and genetics and biology, it is necessary for public policy to change as well. The contributors in this volume examine what happens when it is no longer possible to base policy solely on the basis ofculturally-constructed human behavior. Many argue that to ignore "nature" onbehalf of "nurture" will result in incomplete solutions to social, political and economic problems.

275 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Steven Peterson]

This is a co-edited volume, in which essays that we solicited address the extent to which human nature (as a function of our evolutionary history) affects policy decisions by governments. Those policies that move against our findamental natures are apt to face challenges to succeed.

[Billie Pritchett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Human Nature and Public Policy is a collection of essays from people from various intellectual backgrounds who argue that an evolutionary approach must be taken with regard a diversity of topics related to public policy. Some of these authors' evolutionary explanations and policy arguments would be agreeable to most people whereas others are controversial. Arguments are made for the following topics: 1) the legalization of prostitution; 2) the need for people to be scientifically educated about their role in the environment; 3) a change in judging criminal and other kinds of culpability based on more neuroscientific evidence; 4) the advocacy of consent-based euthanasia; 5) the understanding of criminal behavior as broad evolutionary traits of humans; 6) the reform of campaign finance due to the fact that increased campaign finance has little to do with how people select candidates; 7) the relationship between institutional change and environmental changes (using 'environment' broadly here); 8) the imperative to create political arrangements that are more socially just; 9) an incentive policy for 'good samaritans'; 10) the acceptance of agricultural biotechnology (i.e., hybridized foods); 11) the promotion of ethnic diversity and social education averse to xenophobia or ethnocentrism; and 12) the persistence of violent human tendencies and the necessity to combat them. Of course, reading this list, or even after reading this book, I seriously doubt everyone will agree with all of these conclusions. But that's what is nice about reading and reading about views that are contrary to one's own: it makes a person evaluate the beliefs he or she has and decide why he or she has these commitments. So at the very least, the book spawns critical thinking about very real public policy issues.

[Morgon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read the Paper copy (vs. the online one) in 2004 after seeing it in a used book shop. It would teach me how important Anthropology, and evolution can be towards a Democratic government, or any Government for that matter. Not only were the essays well written but the comparisons and objectives made were clear and easy to understand. A book in which I thought "Oh now I get it.". It showed me a new perspective of thought that would come quite in handy later on during my first career. I consider it a must read for anyone going into a Government career...even if it's not on your Professor's syllabus.