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On Market Forces and Human Evolution

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  • Saint-Paul, Gilles

Abstract

This Paper studies how an institution such as markets affects the evolution of mankind. My key point is that the forces of natural selection are made weaker because trade allows people to specialize in those activities where they are strong, and to offset their weaknesses by purchasing adequate goods on the market. Absent trade, people must allocate their time among all the activities necessary for their fitness. A fitness advantage in any given dimension will increase survival probability, so that in the long run natural selection makes sure that population is entirely made of individuals with the best alleles at all locations. Under trade, there exist long-run equilibria where less fit individuals are able to achieve the same survival potential as the fittest, by specializing in activities where they are not at a disadvantage, and purchasing goods that are substitute for activities in which they are 'weak'.

Suggested Citation

  • Saint-Paul, Gilles, 2002. "On Market Forces and Human Evolution," CEPR Discussion Papers 3654, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:3654
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    Cited by:

    1. Gilles Saint-Paul, 2003. "Economic aspects of human cloning and reprogenetics [‘Market making inroads in organ transplantation, assisted reproduction’]," Economic Policy, CEPR;CES;MSH, vol. 18(36), pages 73-122.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Evolution; Genotype; Division of labour; Specialization; Geneculture coevolution; Natural selection; Trade; Exchange; Markets; Time allocation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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