Evolutionary Psychology and International Relations, with Jeremy Garlick

In this episode of the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo interviews Jeremy Garlick, director of the Jan Masaryk Center for International Studies at Prague University, about his book "Evolution in International Relations." Garlick argues that international relations theory has neglected the biological and psychological foundations of human behavior, and that integrating disciplines like evolutionary biology, evolutionary psychology, and neuroscience can lead to a better understanding of intergroup competition, cooperation, and conflict. The conversation explores the intellectual leap required to synthesize these fields, the methodological challenges involved, and whether this approach can correct conceptual limitations in mainstream international relations theory. They discuss the implications for understanding China, US-China relations, and interpreting current global events, while also addressing concerns about potential misapplications of evolutionary theory.