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The emergence of complex political organisation

In: A History of the Global Economy

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The topic in Part IV is the rise of agrarian civilisations and the economic aspect of empires and civilisations. As hierarchies of villages and towns emerged, supported by an agriculture which was becoming more and more productive, this made possible the emergence of a ruling class, the existence of non-agricultural pursuits, social stratification and, most striking of all, an increasingly complex political organisation. There was a long period of proto-urbanisation, with these characteristics gradually emerging. The existence of harvested plants, herds and flocks of animals, and fixed assets in urban areas, offered a temptation to predation. Political organisation was centred on the need for defence, as well as the provision of other public infrastructure, such as granaries and irrigation projects. Defence soon became offence, and empires appeared, creating the foundation for civilisations. Empires rose and fell, although civilisations have been more persistent.

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  • ., 2018. "The emergence of complex political organisation," Chapters, in: A History of the Global Economy, chapter 9, pages 154-171, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:18481_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Nareerut Seerasarn & Servel A. Miller & Apinya Wanaset, 2020. "Transitioning to Organic Rice Farming in Thailand: Drivers and Factors," Asian Journal of Agriculture and rural Development, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 10(3), pages 740-748, October.
    2. Marleau Donais, Francis & Abi-Zeid, Irène & Waygood, E. Owen D. & Lavoie, Roxane, 2019. "Assessing and ranking the potential of a street to be redesigned as a Complete Street: A multi-criteria decision aiding approach," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-19.
    3. Schaupp Simon, 2021. "Organisationale Technokulturen: Kritik und Humor in der „Industrie 4.0“," Arbeit, De Gruyter, vol. 30(1), pages 3-20, March.

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    Development Studies; Economics and Finance;

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