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Optimization Theories of the Transition from Foraging to Agriculture: A Critical Assessment and Proposed Alternatives

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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 examines how well two parallel behavioral approaches , one in economics and the other in anthropology, explain the economic evolution of Neolithic societies, particularly their transit from foraging to agriculture. Both assume rational optimizing behavior. It is argued that satisficing theories provide a superior explanation of transition (and non-transition) by some hunter-gatherers. Furthermore, many of the concepts associated with neo-classical economics are shown to be inadequate for analyzing the choice problems involved. Moreover, it is argued that all be-havioral theories considering the relationship between human behavior and economic evolution need to pay attention to the way that decision-making is embedded in social structures. It is unlikely that a single theory will be able to explain the economic evolution of all societies when social structures and other relevant variables differ between communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2017. "Optimization Theories of the Transition from Foraging to Agriculture: A Critical Assessment and Proposed Alternatives," Post-Print hal-02145490, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02145490
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-02145490
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    File URL: https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-02145490/document
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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. Clem Tisdell, 1996. "Bounded Rationality and Economic Evolution," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 960.
    3. Guzmán, Ricardo Andrés & Weisdorf, Jacob, 2011. "The Neolithic Revolution from a price-theoretic perspective," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(2), pages 209-219, November.
    4. Peter E. Earl, 2013. "The robot, the party animal and the philosopher: an evolutionary perspective on deliberation and preference," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 37(6), pages 1263-1282.
    5. 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.
    6. Clement A. Tisdell, 2013. "Competition, Diversity and Economic Performance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13026.
    7. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2015. "The Malthusian Trap and Development in Pre-Industrial Societies: A View Differing from the Standard One," Working Papers hal-02152050, HAL.
    8. Locay, Luis, 1989. "From Hunting and Gathering to Agriculture," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(4), pages 737-756, July.
    9. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2014. "Inequality and Wealth Creation in Ancient History: Malthus’ Theory Reconsidered," Post-Print hal-02153096, HAL.
    10. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2015. "The Persistence of Hunting and Gathering Economies," Post-Print hal-02150099, HAL.
    11. Gowdy, John & Krall, Lisi, 2013. "The ultrasocial origin of the Anthropocene," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 137-147.
    12. Jacob L. Weisdorf, 2005. "From Foraging To Farming: Explaining The Neolithic Revolution," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(4), pages 561-586, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Riahi, Ideen, 2020. "How hominin dispersals and megafaunal extinctions influenced the birth of agriculture," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 227-250.
    2. Clement A. Tisdell, 2017. "Bounded Rationality, Satisficing and the Evolution of Economic Thought," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 264873, University of Queensland, School of Economics.

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