From an evolutionary perspective, individuals have a vi- tal interest in the reproduction of their genes. Yet this interest is overlooked by social and political theory at a time when we need to steer an adaptive course through the unnatural modern world of uneven population growth and decline, global mobility, and loss of family and communal ties. In modern Darwinian theory, bearing children is only one way to reproduce. Since we share genes with our families, ethnic groups, and the species as a whole, ethnocentrism and humanism can be adaptive. They can also be hazardous when taken to extremes. On Genetic Interests canvasses strategies and ethics for conserving our genetic interests in an environmentally sustainable manner sensitive to the interests of others.

From an evolutionary perspective, individuals have a vi- tal interest in the reproduction of their genes. Yet this interest is overlooked by social and political theory at a time when we need to steer an adaptive course through the unnatural modern world of uneven population growth and decline, global mobility, and loss of family and communal ties. In modern Darwinian theory, bearing children is only one way to reproduce. Since we share genes with our families, ethnic groups, and the species as a whole, ethnocentrism and humanism can be adaptive. They can also be hazardous when taken to extremes. "On Genetic Interests" canvasses strategies and ethics for conserving our genetic interests in an environmentally sustainable manner sensitive to the interests of others.

" This] is a fresh and deep contribution to the sociobiology of humans, combining genetics with social science in original ways."--Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University

"The book greatly expands Hamiltonian kin selection' by making ethnies in control of territory the central arena of selfish genery' in a modern world of mass migration."--Pierre van den Berghe, University of Washington, Seattle

"Salter argues that all humans have a vital interest in genetic continuity that is threatened by mass migration. Salter advocates non-aggressive universal nationalism' as part of a balanced fitness portfolio' that includes investments in three levels of genetic interests--family, ethny, and the species as a whole. The synthesis is persuasive; the policy formulations provocative."--Irenus Eibl-Eibesfeldt, Max Planck Society

"Five stars for Salter--he has provided us with a deep and compelling explanation of what most people know and what guides much of their behavior, but fear to acknowledge publicly."--Michael T. McGuire, UCLA

"We are indeed all part of each other, as John Donne insisted even before the help of evolutionary genetics. But we are more part of some than others, and the nature of these boundaries of ethnic kinship has been ignored, avoided or denied. After Salter's virtuoso synthesis we can no longer duck these issues which become more important daily."--Robin Fox, Rutgers University
"Frank Salter" is an Australian political scientist who has been a researcher with the Max Planck Society, Andechs, Germany, since 1991.

Welfare, Ethnicity, and Altruism applies the controversial theory of 'Ethnic Nepotism', first formulated by Irenaus Eibl-Eibesfeldt and Pierre van den Berghe, to the modern welfare state (both are authors in this volume). This theory states that ethnic groups resemble large families whose members are prone to cooperate due to 'kin altruism'. Recent empirical findings in economics and political science offer confirmatory evidence. The book presents two separate studies that compare welfare expenditures around the world, both indicating that the more ethnically mixed a population becomes, the greater is its resistance to redistributive policies. A study of donations to the United Way of America charity finds that White Americans give less when their communities are more than 10 per cent non-White. Still another study, based on observations of giving to street beggars in Moscow, finds an ethnic-nepotistic effect. In a fascinating twist, cohesive regional ethnic groups such as the francophones of Quebec can sometimes leverage additional welfare from the central government. On a related theme, a global survey finds that the most generous foreign aid comes from the most homogeneous countries, and that ethnic diversity hinders economic growth in all except a small number of wealthy societies.
These results point to profound inconsistencies within ideologies of both left and right regarding ethnicity.
The final chapters consider policy implications. At a time of economic globalisation and mass migration, can generous and inclusive welfare be saved? Solutions and alternatives are discussed, ranging widely across: multiculturalism at state and international levels; assimilation;secession; ethnic federalism; the Swiss model; the European model; affirmative action (group rights); and strict individualist welfare.
This book brings together a distinguished group of scholars: evolutionary biologists; political scientists; sociologists; anthropologists; economists; primatologists; and human ethologists, contributors examine how ethnic diversity can affect the level of welfare and cross-ethnic charitableness at both national and cross-national levels, in industrial and tribal societies. A study of meat-sharing in chimpanzees provides a cross-species comparison.
This book breaks new ground in advancing our understanding of multicultural politics, ethnic competition and conflict.

Welfare, Ethnicity, and Altruism applies the controversial theory of 'Ethnic Nepotism', first formulated by Irenaus Eibl-Eibesfeldt and Pierre van den Berghe, to the modern welfare state (both are authors in this volume). This theory states that ethnic groups resemble large families whose members are prone to cooperate due to 'kin altruism'. Recent empirical findings in economics and political science offer confirmatory evidence. The book presents two separate studies that compare welfare expenditures around the world, both indicating that the more ethnically mixed a population becomes, the greater is its resistance to redistributive policies. A study of donations to the United Way of America charity finds that white Americans give less when their communities are more than 10 per cent non-white. Still another study, based on observations of giving to street beggars in Moscow, finds an ethnic-nepotistic effect. In a fascinating twist, cohesive regional ethnic groups such as the francophones of Quebec can sometimes leverage additional welfare from the central government. comes from the most homogenous countries, and that ethnic diversity hinders economic growth in all except a small number of wealthy societies. These results point to profound inconsistencies within ideologies of both left and right regarding ethnicity. The final chapters consider policy implications. At a time of economic globalization and mass migration, can generous and inclusive welfare be saved? Solutions and alternatives are discussed, ranging widely across: multiculturalism at state and international levels; assimilation; secession; ethnic federalism; the Swiss model; the European model; affirmative action (group rights); and strict individualist welfare. This book brings together a distinguished group of scholars: evolutionary biologists; political scientists; sociologists; anthropologists; economists; primatologists; and human ethologists. It breaks new ground in advancing our understanding of multicultural politics, ethnic competition and conflict.