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The Ability in Antiquity of Some Agrarian Societies to Avoid the Malthusian Trap and Develop

Author

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  • Clement Allan Tisdell

    (UQ [All campuses : Brisbane, Dutton Park Gatton, Herston, St Lucia and other locations] - The University of Queensland)

  • Serge Svizzero

    (CEMOI - Centre d'Économie et de Management de l'Océan Indien - UR - Université de La Réunion)

Abstract

This article presents a simple economic theory (and associated evidence) to explain how some early agriculturally based preindustrial societies developed despite most of their population being subject to Malthusian dynamics. Their development depended on a dominant class limiting its membership and extracting an economic surplus which it could use (among other things) to accumulate capital and advance knowledge thereby adding to this surplus. The evolution of urban centers facilitated this development process. Extraction of the agricultural surplus prevented increased population from dissipating this surplus and curtailing development. Examples are given of early economically extractive and non-inclusive societies which were long lasting. Their persistence is at odds with the views of some contemporary development economists about the development prospects of these types of societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2017. "The Ability in Antiquity of Some Agrarian Societies to Avoid the Malthusian Trap and Develop," Post-Print hal-02145482, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02145482
    DOI: 10.1080/07360932.2017.1356344
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-02145482
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. Serge Svizzero & Clement A. Tisdell & Duncan Watson, 2016. "Economic evolution, diversity of societies and stages of economic development: A critique of theories applied to hunters and gatherers and their successors," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 1161322-116, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tisdell, Clement, 2018. "The sustainability and desirability of the traditional economies of Australian Aborigines: Controversial issues," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 1-8.
    2. Sergio Cesaratto, 2019. "Heterodox economics and Economic Anthropology: reflections prompted by two books," Department of Economics University of Siena 807, Department of Economics, University of Siena.
    3. Clement Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2019. "Unsustainable Mining Development and the Collapse of Some Ancient Societies: Economic Reasons," Post-Print hal-02274889, HAL.

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    Keywords

    institutional economics; Malthusian trap; Neolithic development; population dynamics; social inequality and development;
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