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

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  • Shultziner, Doron

Abstract

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.

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  • Shultziner, Doron, 2013. "Genes and Politics: A New Explanation and Evaluation of Twin Study Results and Association Studies in Political Science," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(3), pages 350-367, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:polals:v:21:y:2013:i:03:p:350-367_01
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    Cited by:

    1. Wajzer, Mateusz, 2022. "The reductionism of genopolitics in the context of the relationships between biology and political science," MPRA Paper 118482, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 14 Aug 2023.
    2. Jordan Mansell, 2020. "Causation and Behavior: The Necessity and Benefits of Incorporating Evolutionary Thinking into Political Science," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(5), pages 1677-1698, September.
    3. Alexandra Avdeenko & Thomas Siedler, 2017. "Intergenerational Correlations of Extreme Right‐Wing Party Preferences and Attitudes toward Immigration," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 119(3), pages 768-800, July.
    4. Neugart, Michael & Yildirim, Selen, 2020. "What determines perceived income justice? Evidence from the German TwinLife study," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 36(C).

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