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Democracy and human nature: a layered system analysis.

Authors :
Auerbach, Carl
Source :
Journal of Critical Realism; Oct2023, Vol. 22 Issue 5, p882-903, 22p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

This paper addresses a question posed by the increase of democratic backsliding: whether democracy itself is compatible with human nature. It analyses democracy as a layered system consisting of three levels: the political/institutional, the social/interactional and the psychological/intrapsychic. At each level it uses evolutionary theory to describes features of a 'light side' of human nature that makes democracy possible, and of a 'dark side' of human nature that leads to democratic backsliding. At the political/institutional level these features are the reduction of reactive aggression and the capacity for the intragroup stranger. At the social/interactional level they are the cultural evolution of cooperative norms and an inclusive group identity. At the psychological/intrapsychic level they are the coherent, continuous positive self-experiences produced by shared positive emotions. However, these mechanisms can misfire at each level, producing the dark side that leads to democratic backsliding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14767430
Volume :
22
Issue :
5
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Critical Realism
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
174238651
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/14767430.2023.2253608