Nations as Natural Families: From Kin Selection to Multilevel Selection

Filipe Nobre Faria and Sandra Dzenis (2025)
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nana.70023


Abstract

In nationalism studies, nations are often viewed as artificial constructs. By contrast, many sociobiologists see nations as natural families or kin groups. They explain altruism and shared ancestry among co-nationals through kin selection theory, which accounts for altruism towards close genetic relatives. In this article, we refine and deepen this sociobiological view through multilevel selection theory, an evolutionary framework that extends selection beyond genes and individuals to include groups. We contend that nations function as extended kin groups whose cohesion arises from genetic relatedness, culturally evolved institutions, and intergroup competition. This biocultural perspective advances the insights of sociobiologists and bridges constructivist and evolutionary explanations of nationhood.