Galton's problem, the issue of the effects of historical connections
between societies based on their characteristics, has received much
attention from cross-culturalists. The author reviews the three
major responses to Galton's problem and points out that each
response treats it as a methodological difficulty. I argue that it
would be more fruitful to reframe Galton's problem as a substantive
issue, for then cross-culturalists could develop a better under
standing of the different kinds of connections among societies and
their effects. Links between societies are important forces helping to
shape life within each society. I support this argument with exam
ples on intersocietal trading ofgoods, labor exchanges, warfare, and
interbreeding.
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