The study also highlights the importance of egalitarianism, respect for individual autonomy and extensive sharing in shaping how cultural knowledge is passed down among hunter gatherers.

It’s a choice between maintaining democracy and eroding it, between defending bodily autonomy and surrendering it, between racism and egalitarianism.

If they do, it’s often in a way that diminishes the significance of race in society or emphasizes egalitarianism.

We also asked them about what we call their financial egalitarianism.

"That has allowed Australia to proceed with some very comforting myths about itself, in terms of egalitarianism, and openness and fairness and so forth," Prof Kenny says.