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Economic evolution, diversity of societies and stages of economic development: A critique of theories applied to hunters and gatherers and their successors

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  • Serge Svizzero
  • Clement A. Tisdell
  • Duncan Watson

Abstract

Theories of the economic evolution of societies and their diversity are critically examined, paying particular attention to the evolution of hunter-gatherer societies. An interdisciplinary approach drawing on anthropology and economics is adopted. Currently, three main stereotypes of the nature of hunter-gatherer societies exist. While these indicate that they were diverse, they fail to capture the full extent of their diversity. It is argued that this diversity increased with the passage of time and was shaped by the varied local eco-geographic conditions in which these societies evolved. This raises the question of whether this development had the same basis as speciation in the biological theory of natural selection. This is discussed and then particular attention is given to Adam Smith’s vision of the economic evolution of human societies. In conclusion, it is hypothesized that the evolutionary path of modern economies and societies has diverged from that of prehistoric societies—they have become less diverse. Modern societies may also have become more ultrasocial, a process which accelerated following the commencement of agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oaefxx:v:4:y:2016:i:1:p:1161322
    DOI: 10.1080/23322039.2016.1161322
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Serge Svizzero & Clem Tisdell, 2014. "Theories About the Commencement of Agriculture in Prehistoric Societies: A Critical Evaluation," Rivista di storia economica, Società editrice il Mulino, issue 3, pages 255-280.
    2. Easterly, William & Levine, Ross, 2003. "Tropics, germs, and crops: how endowments influence economic development," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 3-39, January.
    3. John Gowdy & Lisi Krall, 2014. "Agriculture as a major evolutionary transition to human ultrasociality," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 179-202, July.
    4. Clement A. Tisdell, 2013. "Competition, Diversity and Economic Performance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13026.
    5. Serge Svizzero, 2014. "Pre-Neolithic economy," History of Economic Ideas, Fabrizio Serra Editore, Pisa - Roma, vol. 22(2), pages 25-40.
    6. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2014. "Inequality and Wealth Creation in Ancient History: Malthus’ Theory Reconsidered," Post-Print hal-02153096, HAL.
    7. Richard Nelson, 2006. "Evolutionary social science and universal Darwinism," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 16(5), pages 491-510, December.
    8. Gowdy, John & Krall, Lisi, 2013. "The ultrasocial origin of the Anthropocene," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 137-147.
    9. Clem Tisdell, 1999. "Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainable Development," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1408.
    10. Douglass C. North & Robert Paul Thomas, 1977. "The First Economic Revolution," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 30(2), pages 229-241, May.
    11. Anthony Brewer, 2008. "Adam Smith's stages of history," Bristol Economics Discussion Papers 08/601, School of Economics, University of Bristol, UK.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Clement Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2020. "The Ability in Antiquity of Some Agrarian Societies to Avoid the Malthusian Trap and Develop," Forum for Social Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(2), pages 202-227, April.
    3. Sergio Cesaratto & Stefano Di Bucchianico, 2021. "The Surplus Approach, the Polanyian Tradition, and Institutions in Economic Anthropology and Archaeology," Annals of the Fondazione Luigi Einaudi. An Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics, History and Political Science, Fondazione Luigi Einaudi, Torino (Italy), vol. 55(1), pages 185-216, June.
    4. 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.
    5. Ochrana František, 2022. "Historical-evolutionary and Retrograde Approach to the Study of Social Phenomena and Public Administration," NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, December.
    6. Cesaratto, Sergio, 2023. "Surplus Approach and Institutions: Where Sraffa Meets Polanyi," Centro Sraffa Working Papers CSWP61, Centro di Ricerche e Documentazione "Piero Sraffa", revised 02 May 2023.
    7. Amin, Saqib & Mehmood, Waqas & Sharif, Arshian, 2022. "Blessing or curse: The role of diversity matters in stimulating or relegating environmental sustainability—a global perspective via renewable and non-renewable energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 927-937.

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