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A bioeconomic view of the transition to agriculture: a comment

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  • Robert Rowthorn

Abstract

Arthur Robson (2010) presents an ingenious model to explain why the standard of living apparently fell during the Neolithic transition from hunter‐gathering to agriculture. His demonstration relies on a production function that has a strong property with regard to technical change. This note shows how Robson’s result can be obtained using a more familiar set of restrictions on technical change. Under these restrictions, an improvement in technology will cause parents to invest less per child and the standard of living will fall. Arthur Robson (RCE février 2010) présente un modèle ingénieux pour expliquer pourquoi le niveau de vie a apparemment chuté au cours de la transition au néolithique du monde du chasseur‐cueilleur vers l’agriculture. Sa démonstration se fonde sur une fonction de production qui a une forte propriété quant au changement technique. Cette note montre comment les résultats de Robson peuvent être obtenus à l’aide d’un ensemble plus familier de restrictions sur le changement technique. Sous l’ombre de ces restrictions, une amélioration de la technologie va entraîner les parents à investir moins par enfant, et le niveau de vie va chuter.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Rowthorn, 2011. "A bioeconomic view of the transition to agriculture: a comment," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(3), pages 1044-1047, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:44:y:2011:i:3:p:1044-1047
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5982.2011.01665.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Aldo Rustichini, 2023. "Economics with a biological foundation," Indian Economic Review, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 1-40, June.

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