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Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
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The evolution of offensive realism.

Dominic D P Johnson1, D Phil1, Bradley A Thayer2

  • 1* Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford.

Politics and the Life Sciences : the Journal of the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences
|July 6, 2016
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Summary

Offensive realism

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary psychology
  • International relations theory
  • Behavioral biology

Background:

  • Offensive realism posits states engage in conflict due to self-interest, power maximization, and fear.
  • Debate exists on whether states should or do exhibit these behaviors.
  • This study examines the evolutionary basis of these core assumptions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if self-help, power maximization, and outgroup fear have roots in human behavioral evolution.
  • To explore if evolutionary pressures explain state behavior predicted by offensive realism.
  • To propose an evolutionary explanation for power-seeking behavior in leaders and states.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of evolutionary psychology and international relations theory.
  • Examination of empirical evidence across the animal kingdom, particularly primates and humans.
  • Hypothesis generation based on evolutionary adaptive traits.

Main Results:

  • The core assumptions of offensive realism (self-help, power maximization, outgroup fear) are evolutionarily adaptive and common in nature.
  • These traits are observed frequently in primate and human societies.
  • Evolutionary legacy, not just international anarchy, may drive state behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Offensive realism may describe human nature more than international system dynamics.
  • Evolutionary theory provides an ultimate cause for offensive realist behavior.
  • These traits can paradoxically lead to cooperation and alliances, not just conflict.