I often wondered if we inherit a political inclination, an interest in politics. My father had it, his father had it, I have it, and my two boys have it.
For now I am strongly inclined to say there is a genetic aspect in an individual’s interest in politics. That genetic aspect I guess is a necessary condition but not a sufficient one for developing a political mind, a high level awareness and even a passion for it. The genetic aspect I think is mainly to do with intelligence and creativity. These are the inherited genetic qualities that later in life make it possible to passionately feel politically aware and even politically engaged. However these qualities need to be complemented by an appropriate relational environment in order to develop.
Knowledge, the intensive acquisition of an enormous quantity of knowledge, both academic and practical, is of extreme importance. A knowledge of human nature, an inquisitive and introspective mind and an instinct of morality are indispensable. All of these can only develop or be acquired in an environment which is itself powerfully, passionately charged and stimulating. In such an environment the mind starts to make connections, relational connections at individual level, at group level, and with a temporal, historical dimension inherently attached.
I guess this is it, it is the relationship between parents and children that fundamentally determines the environment in which political interests, views and opinions take hold and come to the fore of our tables of values. This relationship has a determinant role but the outcomes in terms of political views are not predictable. The only slightly more predictable aspects are the affective political engagement and curiosity. These, later on, form the basis of political convictions, manifestations of an individual’s morality. That morality is seen through the magnifying glass of an individual’s perception. It is the individual perception that is the basis of our political convictions. Ultimately, even when we feel or know for sure we belong to a group with similar political views, we still do so as a consequence of being an individual, and for our own, often unconscious, gratification.