First published 2025
Nicholas Wade examines how evolution shapes political systems and why ignoring human nature leads societies toward failure. The bestselling author of Before the Dawn combines research from anthropology, evolutionary biology, and history to argue that both progressive and conservative approaches to social change contain fatal flaws. Progressives treat human nature as infinitely malleable, while conservatives reject any possibility of beneficial change. Wade shows how Marx and Engels sought to destroy the family unit and redirect loyalty to the state, and traces how their followers continue attacking traditional structures. He demonstrates that some policies work with human nature to eliminate tribalism, while others like socialism create conflict and social breakdown. Drawing on biological and political history, Wade reveals which ideologies succeed and which drive societies toward chaos. Political scientists acknowledge that politics stems from human nature but then assume behavior can be reshaped without limits. Wade proves that evolutionary constraints cannot be violated without severe consequences.
Genres: history, political-science, anthropology, evolution, biology, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: academic, non-fiction
256 pages · Kindle Edition · Harper