Democracy and Autocracy
In my third annual commentary on the V-Dem Project’s democracy report, I break down the data on global trends in democracy and autocracy.
Methods
Exploring the Evolution of Households and Communities in Homo Sapiens
Scientia recently published a summary of a 2023 article I wrote, which detailed the patterns of human evolution as they relate to the origins and development of households and communities.
Groups Among Human Species
This overview looks at five periods of hominin species, tracing the evolution of group behavior through their overall phenotype, the details of individual senses and signals, and varied links between individuals.
Group Behavior Among Animals
The information that animals take in—combined with the signals they outwardly project—has enabled the formation of groups and group behavior. This development can be traced throughout the Animal Kingdom from early times to the present.
Why Is Democracy on the Decline? A Look at Global Trends from V-Dem
The 2024 V-Dem report on global democracy seeks to explain the rise in autocracy around the world. I explore this report through comparisons of global politics at different levels—and consider what effect international organizations may have on democracy.
Ethnic Groups Make History
In his new book, historian James Quirin examines the oral traditions, cultural practices, and written records of the Beta Israel, a community of farmers and artisans who lived near the Ethiopian kingdom. Quirin uncovers a lively historical record, showing how small ethnic groups can create significant historical change.
V-Dem 2023 Report on Global Democracy
V-Dem’s 2023 Democracy Report shows that the overall level of democracy has, in recent years, fallen back to levels not seen since 1986. This essay helps readers explore the report to evaluate the details of democracy and autocracy in any nation
How Are Ideas About Evolution Evolving? Part Three
This essay, the conclusion of a three-part series, explores the seventh phase of human evolution: the expanding scale of social organization.
How Are Ideas About Evolution Evolving? Part Two
This post—the second in a three-part series—builds on the main categories and dynamics of human evolutionary change established in part one. I outline six phases of human evolution, exploring different models and hypotheses of growth and change.
How Are Ideas About Evolution Evolving? Part One
When and how did Homo sapiens become a species? What are the roles of subgroups and migration in human evolution? The first in a three-part series, this post reviews six main categories of human evolutionary change and considers how each of them might lead to unification and/or differentiation of the human species.