![]() ![]() It has been observed that this affects not only the political structure but many other aspects of the culture as well. They will develop a hierarchical political structure and a very punitive system of discipline. People will prefer a strong leader and strict discipline when the probability of war or other collective danger is perceived to be high, while people will prefer an egalitarian society with more lax discipline when there is no collective danger.ĥIf the majority of the members of a tribe or other group desire a strong leader and strict discipline, then, surely, this will be what they get. Regality theory proposes that such a plasticity has evolved by natural selection. Therefore, it is advantageous to have a psychological plasticity that makes us prefer a strong leader in the event of war, but not in the event of peace. Everybody will benefit from having a strong leader in the case of war, and therefore everybody should desire a strong leader when facing collective danger.ĤHowever, a strong leader is a disadvantage in the absence of war, because a tyrannical leader can exploit his followers and suppress their freedom. But in neither situation will an individual have to fight alone and let others free ride on the benefits he makes for his group. If no leader has enough support, then nobody will fight and everybody will suffer from the resulting collective defeat. If the leader has enough support, then he 3 can coerce everybody to fight and let everybody benefit from the collective fighting. Regality theory proposes that the collective action problem can be overcome by installing a strong leader who can reward brave warriors and punish defectors. This is the well-known collective action problem. 3 Chapter 2.5 explains why most war leaders in history were men.ģFighting in war is hard and dangerous, and it would be more attractive for the individual not to fight and to let others do the fighting.The zeitgeist and culture adapts to these sentiments in such a way that the society becomes well prepared to meet any external threats. The genes code for a flexibility that allows the psychological sentiments of each person to respond to the level of war and the need for collective action. This psychological mechanism makes people prefer a strong leader and strict discipline in the event of war or other collective danger.ĢThe mechanism explained here is an interplay between genes and culture. Instead, humans have evolved a psychological plasticity that shapes our personalities to fit the environments we live in. 2 Nobody is born belligerent or peaceful, according to this theory. Regality theory seeks to explain such cultural differences as adaptations to the different levels of danger and conflict that societies are exposed to. 1It is easy to observe that some cultures are warlike and totalitarian while other cultures are peaceful and tolerant. ![]()
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