Political Genes
As far as I can remember, politics was never discussed at my family’s dinner table. So it was as much a surprise to me as anyone when I volunteered for various campaigns during the 1992 U.S. general elections - helping to stuff envelopes, make phone calls, and canvas neighborhoods.
Even though my parents have never been active in politics, we still share similar political affinities. For the past several elections, I’m almost certain that we all voted the same way although that’s a guess because we still don’t discuss it. It’s possible that this is influenced by genetics.
Based on a study of 8,000 sets of twins, political scientists are suggesting that people’s reactions to social issues may be influenced by genes. (The New York Times, June 21, 2005).
…a team of political scientists is arguing that people’s gut-level reaction to issues like the death penalty, taxes and abortion is strongly influenced by genetic inheritance. The new research builds on a series of studies that indicate that people’s general approach to social issues - more conservative or more progressive - is influenced by genes.
If the researchers are right, could this explain why some families are blatant racists while others are bleeding hearts?
“When people talk about the political debate becoming increasingly ugly, they often blame talk radio or the people doing the debating, but they’ve got it backward,” Dr. Alford said. “These genetically predisposed ideologies are polarized, and that’s what makes the debate so nasty.
The researchers are not optimistic about the future of bipartisan cooperation or national unity. Because men and women tend to seek mates with a similar ideology, they say, the two gene pools are becoming, if anything, more concentrated, not less.
I’m not as pessimistic. First of all, I don’t think it’s necessary for everyone to have the same ideology. Differences of opinion are what advance and stretch our thinking. Perhaps we should be focusing on having civil instead of vitriolic exchanges.
Secondly, I think society and environment influence people’s views far more than genetics. The power of peer pressure shouldn’t be underestimated.
NB: Jonah Goldberg of the Washington Examiner has an interesting take on this and more.
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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7 opinions for Political Genes
Krissy
Jun 29, 2005 at 8:17 am
Psssssshhhhhht.
You’re the doctor, so I’ll defer to you. And go read your hotlinks if I can find any time today. But political bias as a genetic predisposition? I don’t buy it. Not for a second.
I’ll agree that people are more inclined to marry folks and have kids with similar political leanings, but that’s because people tend to hang out with folks they feel comfortable with.
Here is why we don’t discuss politics in my family:
Stepsister 1: Rabid republican/ Facist
Stepdad: Staunch republican
Mom: Conservative Democrat
Stepsister 2: Democrat
Me: Liberal Democrat
Husband: Socialist
We never, ever bring up politics.
Lei
Jun 29, 2005 at 9:30 am
It occurred to me as I was answering another comment about this that regression to the mean probably applies to ideology as much as it applies to height. Tall people marry tall people but their descendents don’t eventually hit the door frame as they go out. So two people who are very extreme in their ideology would probably go crazy when they find out their kids a moderate.
Brad
Jul 1, 2005 at 12:58 am
Or maybe it’s a nurture thing. For a long time I thought I was Republican because my parents were. Then I started looking around and realized liberalism was right for me.
People tend to be swayed by their parents’ ideas, just like religion. Is there a Christianity gene, too?
Lei
Jul 1, 2005 at 1:12 am
Thanks for the comment, Brad! Funny you should ask about a Christianity gene. There are scientists who think some people have a gene that makes some people more spiritual. Take a look at this post about the "God gene": http://www.aboutweblogs.com…
» DNA Tests for Ideology Genetics and Health
Dec 12, 2005 at 10:11 am
[…] I’ve written before about genes for political inclination, but I didn’t think we had gotten that far with it. […]
Luke
Aug 23, 2006 at 2:13 am
I have long suspected this and I only came across the site through a google search. I may only be fourteen (probably lowering my credibility significantly), but I thought it was obvious. The reason I came to this conclusion involves the different morality that exists amongst different animals, some due to intelligence and others due to instinct.
A human may abhore death and find depictions of it disgusting, while a lion for example wouldn’t have the same moral trepedation. If political leanings were affected by genetics, opinions would still be formulated froma mixture of nature and nurture.
In my house hold (in Australia), my dad is rather pro-American and is less inclined to question the media he receives. However none of my siblings (including me) share his view on the political climate. Unfortunately, my mum isn’t interested in politics like the rest of the family, but I am pretty sure that she could probably fill the missing link.
However it wouldn’t be a direct consequence of a gene that causes certain political paradigms to be formed, but rather a mixture of others (the same genotypes that cause certain personalities to be formed may be inextricably linked with politics.
I am no expert however and if anyone disagrees with me I will glad to take their opinion (and possible expertise) seriously.
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
Sep 1, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Luke: Thanks for your thoughtful comment (despite your age ;) )! In the case of political leanings, the influence of environment is undeniable. Without a particular party to pledge allegiance to, no gene could create a believer.
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