Brilliant. Non-partisan. Five-stars.

Crystal-clear, fact-based explanation of evolutionary psychology for everyday people--arguably the best popular, non-partisan book on this topic since Robert Wright’s “The Moral Animal," which remains a classic in the popular science literature.

“Our Political Nature” is not only about politics, but it is definitely essential reading for everyone who wants to understand the measurable factors that compel us to vote the way we do. Most people will be surprised by what they learn. 

Some highlights: 

Virtually every human being-- in almost every country throughout the world, regardless of who is in power-- will claim that they fall somewhere along a left-right spectrum.

Most people, self-identified as “left or right”, “liberal or conservative”, do not understand what actually motivates people to vote the way they do. 

The political leanings of individuals correlate with specific patterns in MRI scans.

Identical twins raised apart have more closely correlated political leanings than fraternal ones. 

Three parameters are critical motivators in human behavior: tribalism, views on inequality, and views of human nature.

After an enlightening introduction, six parts of the book are brilliantly organized as follows:

1. Tribalism
2. Biological roots of tribalism
3. Views on inequality
4. Biological roots of views on inequality
5. Views of human nature
6. Biological roots of views of human nature, including altruism and parenting.

Anyone who has strong opinions about nature vs. nurture owes it to themselves to read this book. Engaging, readable, and thoroughly researched.

What do you think, fellow readers? Thoughtful and constructive comments are welcome.

“Our Political Nature: The Evolutionary Origins of What Divides Us, ” by Avi Tuschman. 

2013 and 2019 editions. Available as hardbound, new paperback edition, or in audio on Audible; latter is expertly-narrated by Jay Snyder

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