Review article: Biopolitics after three decades - A balance sheet

British Journal of Political Science

Volumn 28, Issue 3, 1998, Pages 559-571

  Somit, Albert ^c   Peterson, Steven A ^a,b  

^a SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^b PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^c NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0040118493     PISSN: 00071234     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1017/S0007123498000246     Document Type: Review

References (56)

1. Carl Degler, In Search of Human Nature (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991).
2. Albert Somit, 'Biopolitics', British Journal of Political Science, 2 (1972), 209-38.
3. This was the case, by and large, with the 'group' approach, decision-making theory, systems theory, mathematical modelling and game theory, to mention some of the more obvious instances.
4. Among these were meetings held in Paris in 1975, in Bellagio (Italy) in 1977, in Warsaw in 1987, in Chicago in 1988, and - most recently - in Alfred, New York in 1996.
5. For instance, see Somit, 'Biopolitics'; Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, Biopolitics and Mainstream Political Science (DeKalb, Ill.: Program for Biosocial Research, 1990); Albert Somit, Steven A. Peterson, William Richardson and David S. Goldfischer, The Literature of Biopolitics, 2nd edn (DeKalb, Ill.: Center for Biopolitical Research, 1980).
6. For instance, see Somit, 'Biopolitics'; Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, Biopolitics and Mainstream Political Science (DeKalb, Ill.: Program for Biosocial Research, 1990); Albert Somit, Steven A. Peterson, William Richardson and David S. Goldfischer, The Literature of Biopolitics, 2nd edn (DeKalb, Ill.: Center for Biopolitical Research, 1980).
7. For instance, see Somit, 'Biopolitics'; Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, Biopolitics and Mainstream Political Science (DeKalb, Ill.: Program for Biosocial Research, 1990); Albert Somit, Steven A. Peterson, William Richardson and David S. Goldfischer, The Literature of Biopolitics, 2nd edn (DeKalb, Ill.: Center for Biopolitical Research, 1980).
8. John C. Wahlke, 'Pre-behaviouralism in Political Science', American Political Science Review, 73 (1979), 9-32.
9. Albert Somit, 'Toward a More Biologically-Oriented Political Science', Midwest Journal of Political Science, 12 (1968), 550-67.
10. But Politics and the Life Sciences may not be an altogether accurate guide. For any journal, we cannot totally discount the possibility of editorial preference.
11. This may have less to do with biologically related policy issues than with the discipline's lagging interest in public policy issues per se. According to the journal's managing editor, the proportion of 'American Politics and Public Policy' articles submitted fell from 41 per cent in 1985-91 to 35 per cent in 1991-95. See Ada Finifter, 'Report of the Editor of the American Political Science Review', PS, 29 (1996), 758-68.
12. Wahlke, 'Pre-behaviouralism in Political Science'.
13. John C. Wahlke and Milton Lodge, 'Psychophysiological Measures of Political Attitudes and Behaviour', Midwest Journal of Political Science, 16 (1972), 505-37.
14. Steven A. Peterson and Albert Somit, 'Research Methods Derived from the Life Sciences', in Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, eds, Biopolitics and the Mainstream (Greenwich, Conn.: JAI Press, 1994).
15. Thomas C. Wiegele and Leonard Hirsch, 'Methodological Aspects of Voice Stress Analysis', in Meredith Watts, ed., Biopolitics: Ethological and Physiological Approaches (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1981).
16. Douglas Madsen, 'A Biochemical Property Relating to Power-Seeking in Humans', American Political Science Review, 79 (1985), 448-57; Douglas Madsen, 'Power Seekers Are Different: Further Bio-chemical Evidence,' American Political Science Review, 80 (1986), 261-70.
17. Douglas Madsen, 'A Biochemical Property Relating to Power-Seeking in Humans', American Political Science Review, 79 (1985), 448-57; Douglas Madsen, 'Power Seekers Are Different: Further Bio-chemical Evidence,' American Political Science Review, 80 (1986), 261-70.
18. Denis G. Sullivan and Roger D. Masters, 'Happy Warriors: Leaders' Facial Displays, Viewers' Emotions, and Political Support', American Journal of Political Science, 32 (1988), 345-68. See also Allan Mazur and Ulrich Mueller, 'Facial Dominance', in Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics (Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1996), pp. 99-1 12; Frank K. Salter, ' "Drawn by Light": Visual Recording Methods in Biopolitics', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 23-60; James N. Schubert, 'Verbal, Vocal, and Visual Aspects of Speech: A Case Study of Clinton's Inaugural Address', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 113-38.
19. Denis G. Sullivan and Roger D. Masters, 'Happy Warriors: Leaders' Facial Displays, Viewers' Emotions, and Political Support', American Journal of Political Science, 32 (1988), 345-68. See also Allan Mazur and Ulrich Mueller, 'Facial Dominance', in Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics (Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1996), pp. 99-1 12; Frank K. Salter, ' "Drawn by Light": Visual Recording Methods in Biopolitics', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 23-60; James N. Schubert, 'Verbal, Vocal, and Visual Aspects of Speech: A Case Study of Clinton's Inaugural Address', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 113-38.
20. Denis G. Sullivan and Roger D. Masters, 'Happy Warriors: Leaders' Facial Displays, Viewers' Emotions, and Political Support', American Journal of Political Science, 32 (1988), 345-68. See also Allan Mazur and Ulrich Mueller, 'Facial Dominance', in Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics (Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1996), pp. 99-1 12; Frank K. Salter, ' "Drawn by Light": Visual Recording Methods in Biopolitics', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 23-60; James N. Schubert, 'Verbal, Vocal, and Visual Aspects of Speech: A Case Study of Clinton's Inaugural Address', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 113-38.
21. Denis G. Sullivan and Roger D. Masters, 'Happy Warriors: Leaders' Facial Displays, Viewers' Emotions, and Political Support', American Journal of Political Science, 32 (1988), 345-68. See also Allan Mazur and Ulrich Mueller, 'Facial Dominance', in Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics (Greenwich, CT: JAI Press, 1996), pp. 99-1 12; Frank K. Salter, ' "Drawn by Light": Visual Recording Methods in Biopolitics', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 23-60; James N. Schubert, 'Verbal, Vocal, and Visual Aspects of Speech: A Case Study of Clinton's Inaugural Address', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 113-38.
22. Among exceptions are: Sullivan and Masters, 'Happy Warriors'; Roger D. Masters, S.Frey and G. Bente, 'Dominance and Attention: Images of Leaders in German, French, and American TV News', Polity, 25 (1991), 373-94.
23. Among exceptions are: Sullivan and Masters, 'Happy Warriors'; Roger D. Masters, S.Frey and G. Bente, 'Dominance and Attention: Images of Leaders in German, French, and American TV News', Polity, 25 (1991), 373-94.
24. We should mention here another research tool borrowed from ethology - the study (via actual observation and recordings) of real life political behaviour, a technique applied with some success to small groups such as judicial bodies and city councils. On this method, see, for example, Carol Barner-Barry, 'Nonparticipant Observational Research Techniques', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics, pp. 1-22.
25. See, for instances, Madsen, ' A Biochemical Property'; Roger D. Masters and Baldwin Way, 'Experimental Methods and Attitudes toward Leaders', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics. pp. 61-98: Steven A. Peterson, 'You Are What You Eat: Nutritional Status and Political Participation among the Elderly', Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 9 (1989), 51-66; Steven A. Peterson, 'The Health of the Polity', Politics and the Life Sciences, 10 (1991), 45-56; David C. Schwartz, J. Garrison and J. Alouf. 'Health, Body Images, and Political Socialization', in David C. Schwartz and Sandra Kenyon Schwartz, eds. New Directions in Political Socialization (New York: The Free Press, 1975), pp. 96-126.
26. See, for instances, Madsen, ' A Biochemical Property'; Roger D. Masters and Baldwin Way, 'Experimental Methods and Attitudes toward Leaders', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics. pp. 61-98: Steven A. Peterson, 'You Are What You Eat: Nutritional Status and Political Participation among the Elderly', Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 9 (1989), 51-66; Steven A. Peterson, 'The Health of the Polity', Politics and the Life Sciences, 10 (1991), 45-56; David C. Schwartz, J. Garrison and J. Alouf. 'Health, Body Images, and Political Socialization', in David C. Schwartz and Sandra Kenyon Schwartz, eds. New Directions in Political Socialization (New York: The Free Press, 1975), pp. 96-126.
27. See, for instances, Madsen, ' A Biochemical Property'; Roger D. Masters and Baldwin Way, 'Experimental Methods and Attitudes toward Leaders', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics. pp. 61-98: Steven A. Peterson, 'You Are What You Eat: Nutritional Status and Political Participation among the Elderly', Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 9 (1989), 51-66; Steven A. Peterson, 'The Health of the Polity', Politics and the Life Sciences, 10 (1991), 45-56; David C. Schwartz, J. Garrison and J. Alouf. 'Health, Body Images, and Political Socialization', in David C. Schwartz and Sandra Kenyon Schwartz, eds. New Directions in Political Socialization (New York: The Free Press, 1975), pp. 96-126.
28. See, for instances, Madsen, ' A Biochemical Property'; Roger D. Masters and Baldwin Way, 'Experimental Methods and Attitudes toward Leaders', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics. pp. 61-98: Steven A. Peterson, 'You Are What You Eat: Nutritional Status and Political Participation among the Elderly', Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 9 (1989), 51-66; Steven A. Peterson, 'The Health of the Polity', Politics and the Life Sciences, 10 (1991), 45-56; David C. Schwartz, J. Garrison and J. Alouf. 'Health, Body Images, and Political Socialization', in David C. Schwartz and Sandra Kenyon Schwartz, eds. New Directions in Political Socialization (New York: The Free Press, 1975), pp. 96-126.
29. See, for instances, Madsen, ' A Biochemical Property'; Roger D. Masters and Baldwin Way, 'Experimental Methods and Attitudes toward Leaders', in Somit and Peterson, eds, Research in Biopolitics. pp. 61-98: Steven A. Peterson, 'You Are What You Eat: Nutritional Status and Political Participation among the Elderly', Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 9 (1989), 51-66; Steven A. Peterson, 'The Health of the Polity', Politics and the Life Sciences, 10 (1991), 45-56; David C. Schwartz, J. Garrison and J. Alouf. 'Health, Body Images, and Political Socialization', in David C. Schwartz and Sandra Kenyon Schwartz, eds. New Directions in Political Socialization (New York: The Free Press, 1975), pp. 96-126.
30. Robert E. Gilbert, The Mortal Presidency (New York: Basic Books, 1992).
31. Roger Masters's Beyond Relativism was reviewed in the September 1994 issue.
32. A case could be made, though, that political philosophy has also been infused with a recognition of the importance of biology. However, there is little mention of biological issues in textbooks on political philosophy and mainstream researchers normally make little use of the methods and findings from ethology. The work of Roger Masters is, of course, one of the important exceptions to this observation, as is the work of Larry Arnhart.
33. For instance, see Albert Somit, KyoungKeo Seo and Steven A. Peterson, 'The Impact of Biology on the Study of International Polities', in Somit and Peterson, Biopolitics and the Mainstream, pp. 135-40.
34. J. E. Archer, ed., Male Violence (London: Routledge, 1993); J. M. G. van der Dennen, The Origin of War (Gröningen: Origin Press, 1995)
35. J. E. Archer, ed., Male Violence (London: Routledge, 1993); J. M. G. van der Dennen, The Origin of War (Gröningen: Origin Press, 1995)
36. Glendon Schubert, Sexual Politics and Political Feminism (Greenwich, Conn.: JAI Press, 1991).
37. Roger D. Masters, Beyond Relativism (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1993). See also Roger D. Masters, The Nature of Politics (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1989).
38. Roger D. Masters, Beyond Relativism (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1993). See also Roger D. Masters, The Nature of Politics (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1989).
39. Albert Somit and Steven A. Peterson, Darwinism, Dominance, and Democracy (Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1997).
40. In rather primitive form as an APSA conference paper (1991), considerably revised as a book chapter (1995), and as a book (1997).
41. In retrospect, that should have been expected. The idea that 'democracy is not in our genes' could hardly be more politically incorrect. Moreover, only a fraction of the essential supporting evidence could be adduced in paper, article, or even chapter format. For a full-length statement of the argument, see Somit and Peterson, Darwinism, Dominance, and Democracy.
42. One additional challenge that must be mentioned is that political scientists are not given much opportunity to be trained in graduate school and afterwards in the theory, methods and substantive findings coming from biology. It is not surprising, then, that so few mainstream political scientists become conversant with biology.
43. We are explicitly examining the impact of biopolitics on the discipline of political science. The picture becomes different if we focus instead on the application of biological concepts to the study of politics, whether by political scientists or others outside of the discipline. We are specifically looking at the first issue, important in its own right as one case study of the development of political science as a discipline. The second is important, of course, but full-scale consideration of this point would lead us far astray from the purpose of this article.
44. Joseph Tanenhaus and John Wahlke were deeply involved in the planning.
45. As Whittier lamented, 'For of all sad words of tongue or pen. The saddest are these: "It might have been." '
46. See, for example, Alexander Alland, Evolution and Human Behavior (New York: Doubleday, 1973); Lionel Tiger and Robin Fox, The Imperial Animal (New York: Henry Holt. 1989).
47. See, for example, Alexander Alland, Evolution and Human Behavior (New York: Doubleday, 1973); Lionel Tiger and Robin Fox, The Imperial Animal (New York: Henry Holt. 1989).
48. Joseph Lopreato, Human Nature and Biocultural Evolution (London: Allen & Unwin, 1984).
49. J. J. Barkow, Leah Cosmides and J. Tooby, eds, The Adapted Mind (New York: Oxford, 1990); Roben Wright, The Moral Animal (New York: Pantheon, 1994).
50. J. J. Barkow, Leah Cosmides and J. Tooby, eds, The Adapted Mind (New York: Oxford, 1990); Roben Wright, The Moral Animal (New York: Pantheon, 1994).
51. Jeffrey A. Simpson and Douglas T. Kenrick, Evolutionary Social Psychology (Hillside, NJ: Erlbaum, 1997).
52. Roben Frank, Passions within Reason: The Strategic Role of Emotions (New York: Norton, 1988).
53. John Beckstrom, Sociobiology and the Law (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1985; Margaret Gruter, Law and the Mind (Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage, 1991).
54. John Beckstrom, Sociobiology and the Law (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1985; Margaret Gruter, Law and the Mind (Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage, 1991).
55. Apart from those who identify themselves with biopolitics, among the exceptions are Herbert Simon, Robert Lane, James Q. Wilson and George Marcus. However, we find few such people willing to use biological arguments.
56. Thomas S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2nd edn (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980).