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Handbook of Biology and Politics
Moving away from the long-established paradigm which holds that all political behavior is learned via socialization, this Handbook assesses the contributions of biology to political science, illustrating that behavior is in actual fact shaped by the interplay between learning and biological influences.
Describing how a more biologically-oriented approach expands and enriches political science, both conceptually and in terms of its research capabilities, key chapters focus on general biological approaches to politics, biopolitical contributions to mainstream areas within political science, and linkages between biology and public policy. Providing specific examples of how Neo-Darwinism can contribute to more successful public policies, the Handbook further emphasizes the close ties between a realistic understanding of human political behavior and the likelihood that our species successfully resolves the problems that now threaten its welfare.
Original and thought-provoking, this Handbook will prove an enriching read for political scientists starting to consider the value of biological factors in influencing political behavior, as well as for behavioural scientists in other areas experiencing the same paradigm shifts. Biologists will also find further grounding for their research into biological and behavioral science.
Contributors include: K.Blanchard, Jr., R.H. Blank, D. Boisvert, E. Bucy, K. Butts, P.A. Corning, D. Couvet, A. Fletcher, B.J. Foster, J.M. Friend, A. Friesen, O. Funke, A. Ksiazkiewicz, M. Latner, V. Lemm, L. Liesen, J. Losco, R.D. Masters, A. Mazur, G.R. Murray, W.J. Patzelt, M.B. Petersen, S.A. Peterson, A. Somit, R.H. Sprinkle, P.A. Stewart, B.A. Thayer, J. Vaske, M. Vatter, R.F. White, T.E. Wohlers
Describing how a more biologically-oriented approach expands and enriches political science, both conceptually and in terms of its research capabilities, key chapters focus on general biological approaches to politics, biopolitical contributions to mainstream areas within political science, and linkages between biology and public policy. Providing specific examples of how Neo-Darwinism can contribute to more successful public policies, the Handbook further emphasizes the close ties between a realistic understanding of human political behavior and the likelihood that our species successfully resolves the problems that now threaten its welfare.
Original and thought-provoking, this Handbook will prove an enriching read for political scientists starting to consider the value of biological factors in influencing political behavior, as well as for behavioural scientists in other areas experiencing the same paradigm shifts. Biologists will also find further grounding for their research into biological and behavioral science.
Contributors include: K.Blanchard, Jr., R.H. Blank, D. Boisvert, E. Bucy, K. Butts, P.A. Corning, D. Couvet, A. Fletcher, B.J. Foster, J.M. Friend, A. Friesen, O. Funke, A. Ksiazkiewicz, M. Latner, V. Lemm, L. Liesen, J. Losco, R.D. Masters, A. Mazur, G.R. Murray, W.J. Patzelt, M.B. Petersen, S.A. Peterson, A. Somit, R.H. Sprinkle, P.A. Stewart, B.A. Thayer, J. Vaske, M. Vatter, R.F. White, T.E. Wohlers
544 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2017
About the author
Steven A. Peterson
19 books308 followersSteve Peterson was born in Kewanee, Illinois. He graduated from Kewanee High School and then received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Bradley University (in Peoria, Illinois). Then, he went to the State University of New York at Buffalo for graduate study; he received his Ph. D. in Political Science in 1974. He began teaching at Alfred University in 1973 and taught there until he moved to Penn State Harrisburg in 1997.
Steve served as Director of the School of Public Affairs and Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg until July, 2015. He received his Ph. D. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1974. He taught for many years at Alfred University, before moving to Penn State Harrisburg in 1997. His areas of research interest include: American Politics, Public Opinion and Voting Behavior, Biology and Politics, and Public Policy (AIDS policy and education policy). He has authored or co-authored around twenty books, among which are: Darwinism, Dominance, and Democracy; The Failure of Democratic Nation Building: Ideology Meets Evolution, Political Behavior: Patterns in Everyday Life; The World of the Policy Analyst; Human Nature and Public Policy, and over 100 publications. He has served as President of the New York State Political Science Association and the Northeastern Political Science Association. He has served as an officer in the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences (APLS) and Research Committee # 12 (Biology and Politics) of the International Political Science Association.
He retired in summer, 2017 and is now Professor of Politics and Public Affairs Emeritus at Penn State Harrisburg.
Steve served as Director of the School of Public Affairs and Professor of Politics and Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg until July, 2015. He received his Ph. D. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1974. He taught for many years at Alfred University, before moving to Penn State Harrisburg in 1997. His areas of research interest include: American Politics, Public Opinion and Voting Behavior, Biology and Politics, and Public Policy (AIDS policy and education policy). He has authored or co-authored around twenty books, among which are: Darwinism, Dominance, and Democracy; The Failure of Democratic Nation Building: Ideology Meets Evolution, Political Behavior: Patterns in Everyday Life; The World of the Policy Analyst; Human Nature and Public Policy, and over 100 publications. He has served as President of the New York State Political Science Association and the Northeastern Political Science Association. He has served as an officer in the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences (APLS) and Research Committee # 12 (Biology and Politics) of the International Political Science Association.
He retired in summer, 2017 and is now Professor of Politics and Public Affairs Emeritus at Penn State Harrisburg.
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