Pathogens and politics: further evidence that parasite prevalence predicts authoritarianism.

摘要: According to a "parasite stress" hypothesis, authoritarian governments are more likely emerge in regions characterized by high prevalence of disease-causing pathogens. Recent cross-national evidence is consistent with this but there inferential limitations associated that evidence. We report two studies address some these limitations, and provide further tests the hypothesis. Study 1 revealed parasite strongly predicted differences on measures assessing individuals' personalities, effect statistically mediated relationship between governance. The mediation result inconsistent an alternative explanation for previous findings. To comparisons, 2 tested stress hypothesis sample traditional small-scale societies (the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample). Results governance, did so even when controlling other threats human welfare. (One additional threat—famine—also uniquely authoritarianism.) Together, results substantiate authoritarianism, suggest societal governance result, part, from cultural personalities.