Pathogens and politics: further evidence that parasite prevalence predicts authoritarianism

PLoS ONE • Vol/Iss. 8 • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Murray, Damian R., Schaller, Mark, Suedfeld, Peter

Hypothesis

When tested individually, each of the twelve variables included in the composite "authoritarian governance" variable in the cross-cultural sample will be predicted by pathogen prevalence (5).

Note

All dependent variables were predicted by pathogen prevalence except "leadership selection basis."

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
multiple regressionPartially supportedp<.05UNKNOWNNo Info

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Checks On Leader's PowerDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Collective Decision MakingDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Depth Of Decision Making BodiesDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
FamineIndependentDisasters
Formal Enforcement Of DecisionsDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Leader's Exercise Of AuthorityDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Leadership Selection BasisDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Litigation For Binding DecisionsDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
MalnutritionIndependentNutrition
Pathogen PrevalenceIndependentMorbidity
Perceptions Of Leader's PowerDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Political Role DifferentiationDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Prevalence Of Enforcement SpecialistsDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Prevalence Of TaxationDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
Removal Of Bad LeadersDependentCommunity Heads, Community Councils
WarfareIndependentInstigation Of War