Recent research has found that both IQ and genetic markers can predict political leanings towards liberalism and lower authoritarianism, suggesting our political views may be partly wired in our DNA.
Hah, I always knew my political beliefs were proof of my genetic superiority.
But seriously, this isn’t necessarily saying what some people assume it’s saying. I don’t have much confidence in “controlling for socioeconomic variables” so I think membership in an intellectual class and therefore adherence to the beliefs common among that class may be the explanation for this phenomenon (rather than “smart people can figure out what the right answer to politics is”).
Edit: I’ve thought about it and I think it’s unfair for me to cast doubt on the study’s controls without listing specific objections. I withdraw my comment, at least until I have time to read the full study carefully.
Hah, I always knew my political beliefs were proof of my genetic superiority.
But seriously, this isn’t necessarily saying what some people assume it’s saying. I don’t have much confidence in “controlling for socioeconomic variables” so I think membership in an intellectual class and therefore adherence to the beliefs common among that class may be the explanation for this phenomenon (rather than “smart people can figure out what the right answer to politics is”).Edit: I’ve thought about it and I think it’s unfair for me to cast doubt on the study’s controls without listing specific objections. I withdraw my comment, at least until I have time to read the full study carefully.