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Inequality and Wealth Creation in Ancient History: Malthus' Theory Reconsidered

Author

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  • Serge Svizzero

    (CEMOI - Centre d'Économie et de Management de l'Océan Indien - UR - Université de La Réunion)

  • Clement Allan Tisdell

    (UQ [All campuses : Brisbane, Dutton Park Gatton, Herston, St Lucia and other locations] - The University of Queensland)

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to propose the hypothesis that inequality was essential for the sustainability and ‘development' of early agriculturally based societies that developed in Prehistory and Ancient History. This was so for varied reasons: there was a need for some members of societies - the dominant class also called the elite - to escape from the Malthusian trap. In most cases, agriculture produced a bigger economic surplus eventually. Managerial problems – such as the ones associated with storage, the division of labor, irrigation, trade –being part of the consequences of the Neolithic revolution, created pressures to develop more centralized political organizations, a process which led later to the formation of the early states. This process allowed the appearance of powerful local chiefs who changed the nature of their original communities with new forms of social organization, in which one individual and his enlarged family - transformed into a ruling elite - received the benefits of the labor of a large number of serfs belonging to less-favored communities in neighboring areas. Although the surplus appropriated by the elite was used in specific ways – consumption, investments and expenditures on armed forces - it increased the power and wealth of these societies, albeit a solution involving unequally distributed wealth. While this is not the only factor in the growing dominance of agriculturally based societies, it is one of main ones as is evidenced by considering six early civilizations resulting from the Neolithic revolution. This result involves an important modification of Malthus' theory. However, inequality - though necessary - was not a sufficient condition for the sustainability and economic development of these early societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2014. "Inequality and Wealth Creation in Ancient History: Malthus' Theory Reconsidered," Working Papers hal-02152641, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-02152641
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-02152641
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. 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.
    4. Clem Tisdell, 2009. "Cost–Benefit Analysis of Economic Globalization," Chapters, in: Robert J. Brent (ed.), Handbook of Research on Cost–Benefit Analysis, chapter 11, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "The Political Economy of Globalisation: Processes involving the Role of Markets, Institutions and Governance," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90507, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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    8. Clem Tisdell, 2007. "Knowledge and the valuation of public goods and experiential commodities: information provision and acquisition," Global Business and Economics Review, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 9(2/3), pages 170-182.
    9. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Globalisation, the Environment and Sustainability: EKC, Neo-Malthusian Concerns and the WTO," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90502, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    10. Tisdell, Clement A. & Svizzero, Serge, 2003. "Globalization, Social Welfare and Labor Market Inequalities," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90525, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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    12. Tisdell, Clement A., 2006. "Economic and Business Relations Between Australia and China: An Overview and an Assessment," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90543, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    13. Darrian Collins & Clem Tisdell, 2004. "Outbound Business Travel Depends on Business Returns: Australian Evidence," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(2), pages 192-207, June.
    14. Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Economics, Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90618, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    15. Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Economics and Tourism Development: Structural Features of Tourism and Economic Influences on its Vulnerability," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90522, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    16. Alauddin, Mohammad & Tisdell, Clement A., 2009. "Quantitative Impacts of Teaching Attributes on University TEVAL Scores and their Implications," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90621, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    17. Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "Economics of Business Learning: The Need for Broader Perspectives in Managerial Economics," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90532, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    18. Tisdell, Clement A., 2005. "Globalisation and the Economic Future of Small Isolated Nations Particularly in the Pacific," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90541, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    19. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Competition and Evolution in Economics and Ecology Compared," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90506, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    20. Tisdell, Clement A., 2003. "The Efficient Public Provision of Commodities: Transaction Cost, Bounded Rationality and Other Considerations," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90524, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    21. Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Thirty Years of Economic Reform and Openness in China: Retrospect and Prospect," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90620, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    22. Oded Galor & Omer Moav & Dietrich Vollrath, 2009. "Inequality in Landownership, the Emergence of Human-Capital Promoting Institutions, and the Great Divergence," Review of Economic Studies, Oxford University Press, vol. 76(1), pages 143-179.
    23. Clem Tisdell, 2013. "Agriculture, structural change and socially responsible development in China and Vietnam," Chapters, in: Moazzem Hossain & Tapan Sarker & Malcolm McIntosh (ed.), The Asian Century, Sustainable Growth and Climate Change, chapter 1, pages 11-25, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    24. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2001. "Globalization, Social Welfare, Labor Markets and Fiscal Competition," Working Papers hal-02164344, HAL.
    25. Maddison, Angus, 2007. "Contours of the World Economy 1-2030 AD: Essays in Macro-Economic History," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199227204, Decembrie.
    26. Tisdell, Clement A., 2009. "Economic Challenges Faced by Small Island Economies: An Overview," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90627, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    27. Clement A. Tisdell, 2013. "Competition, Diversity and Economic Performance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13026.
    28. Tisdell, Clement A., 2005. "An Overview and Assessment of The Economics of Leisure," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90540, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    29. Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "Tourism Development as a Dimension of Globalisation: Experiences and Policies of China and Australia," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90535, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    30. Gao, Zhicun & Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "Television Production: Its Changing Global Location, the Product Cycle and China," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90530, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    31. Tisdell, Clement A., 2010. "Animal Health Economics. What Can It Do? What Are the Big Questions?," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 97472, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    32. Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Economic Benefits and Drawbacks of Cities and their Growth," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90615, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    33. Tisdell, Clement A., 2006. "Economic Prospects for Small Island Economies, Particularly in the South Pacific, in a Globalising World," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90547, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    34. Tisdell, Clement A., 2005. "Economic Globalisation: The Process and its Potential, Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90539, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    35. Tisdell, Clement A. & Alauddin, Mohammad, 2002. "Market-Oriented Reforms in Bangladesh and their Impact on Poverty?," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90521, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    36. Tisdell, Clem & Seidl, Irmi, 2004. "Niches and economic competition: implications for economic efficiency, growth and diversity," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 119-135, June.
    37. Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Trust and its Implications for Economic Activity, Welfare and Globalisation," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90617, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    38. Adam, Latif & Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Interfirm Networks in the Indonesian Garment Industry: Trust and Other Factors in their Formation and Duration and their Marketing Consequences," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90616, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    39. Serge Svizzero & Clem Tisdell, 2002. "Reconciling globalisation and technological change: Growing income inequalities and remedial policies," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 37(3), pages 162-171, May.
    40. Rowthorn, Robert & Seabright, Paul, 2010. "Property Rights, Warfare and the Neolithic Transition," TSE Working Papers 10-207, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    41. Tisdell, Clement A., 2010. "An Economic Study of Small Pigholders in Vietnam: Some Insights Gained and the Scope for Further Research," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90630, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    42. Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Structural Transformation in the Pig Sector in an Adjusting Vietnam Market: A Preliminary Investigation of Supply-side Changes," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90619, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    43. Tisdell, Clement A., 2005. "Business Partnerships in a Globalising World: Economic Considerations," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90542, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    44. Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "Transaction Costs and Bounded Rationality - Implications for Public Administration and Economic Policy," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90531, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    45. Tisdell, Clement A., 2010. "Agricultural Development in Traditional Asian Economies: Observations Prompted by a Livestock Study in Vietnam," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90629, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    46. Tisdell, Clement A. & Lapar, Ma. Lucila A. & Staal, Steven J. & Que, Nguyen Ngoc, 2009. "Natural Protection from International Competition in the Livestock Industry: Analysis, Examples and Vietnam's Pork Market as a Case," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90628, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    47. Bandara, Ranjith & Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "Changing Abundance of Elephants and Willingness to Pay for their Conservation," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90538, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    48. Bockstette, Valerie & Chanda, Areendam & Putterman, Louis, 2002. "States and Markets: The Advantage of an Early Start," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 7(4), pages 347-369, December.
    49. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Externalities, Thresholds and the Marketing of New Aquacultural Products: Theory and Examples," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90468, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    50. Tisdell, Clement A., 2007. "The Evolution and Classification of the Published Books of Clem Tisdell: A Brief Overview," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90548, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    51. Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Tourism as a Contributor to the Economic Diversification and Development of Small States: Its Strengths, Weaknesses and Potential for Brunei," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90514, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    52. Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "Can Globalisation Result in Less Efficient and More Vulnerable Industries?," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90536, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    53. Gregory Clark, 2007. "Introduction to A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World," Introductory Chapters, in: A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World, Princeton University Press.
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    Cited by:

    1. Serge Svizzero, 2016. "Foraging Wild Resources: Evolving Goals of an Ubiquitous Human Behavior," Post-Print hal-02147756, HAL.
    2. Svizzero, Serge & Tisdell, Clement, 2019. "Barter and the Origin of Money and Some Insights from the Ancient Palatial Economies of Mesopotamia and Egypt," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 291788, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    3. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2015. "The Collapse of Some Ancient Societies Due to Unsustainable Mining Development," Working Papers hal-02152043, HAL.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2015. "Rent Extraction, Population Growth and Economic Development: Development Despite Malthus’ Theory and Precursors to the Industrial Revolution," Working Papers hal-02150103, HAL.
    7. Tisdell, Clement A. & Svizzero, Serge, 2019. "Economic Theory, Phoenician Pre-coinage External Trade, Changes in the Economic Surplus and its Appropriation - An Initial Perspective," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 291441, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    8. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2015. "The Role of Palatial Economic Organization in Creating Wealth in Minoan and Mycenaean States," Working Papers hal-02150102, HAL.
    9. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2016. "Different Behavioral Explanations of the Neolithic Transition from Foraging to Agriculture: A Review," Working Papers hal-02147758, HAL.
    10. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2016. "Economic evolution, diversity of societies and stages of economic development: A critique of theories applied to hunters and gatherers and their successors," Post-Print hal-02147753, HAL.
    11. 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.
    12. Clement Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2019. "Unsustainable Mining Development and the Collapse of Some Ancient Societies: Economic Reasons," Post-Print hal-02274889, HAL.
    13. Tisdell, Clem & Svizzero, Serge, 2015. "The Failure of Neoclassical Economics Modelling and Human Behavioural Ecology to Satisfactorily Explain the Evolution of Neolithic Society," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 197550, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    14. Tisdell, Clem & Svizzero, Serge, 2016. "The Economic Development and the Rise and Fall of Únĕtice Populations: A Case of Ecologically Unsustainable Economic Growth? Initial Thoughts," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 249335, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    15. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2018. "The Economic Rise and Fall of the Silesian Únĕtice Cultural Population : a Case of Ecologically Unsustainable Development ?," Post-Print hal-02145471, HAL.
    16. Tisdell, Clem & Svizzero, Serge, 2015. "The Collapse of Some Ancient Societies Due to Unsustainable Mining Development (A Draft)," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 202543, University of Queensland, School of Economics.

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