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The Paradox of Civilization: Preinstitutional Sources of Security and Prosperity

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  • DAL BÓ, ERNESTO
  • HERNÁNDEZ-LAGOS, PABLO
  • MAZZUCA, SEBASTIÁN

Abstract

The production of economic surplus, or “prosperity,” was fundamental to financing the rise of pristine civilizations. Yet, prosperity attracts predation, which discourages the investments required for civilization. To the extent that the economic footing of civilization creates existential security threats, civilization is paradoxical. We claim that, in addition to surplus production, civilizations require surplus protection, or “security.” Drawing from archaeology and history, we model the trade-offs facing a society on its path to civilization. We emphasize preinstitutional forces, especially the geographical environment, that shape growth and defense capabilities and derive the conditions under which these capabilities help escape the civilizational paradox. We provide qualitative illustration of the model by analyzing the rise of the first two civilizations, Sumer and Egypt.

Suggested Citation

  • Dal Bó, Ernesto & Hernández-Lagos, Pablo & Mazzuca, Sebastián, 2022. "The Paradox of Civilization: Preinstitutional Sources of Security and Prosperity," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 116(1), pages 213-230, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:116:y:2022:i:1:p:213-230_15
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    1. Mayshar, Joram & Moavz, Omer & Neeman, Zvika & Pascali, Luigi, "undated". "Cereals, Appropriability and Hierarchy," Economic Research Papers 269316, University of Warwick - Department of Economics.
    2. Adamson, Jordan, 2025. "Trade and the rise of ancient Greek city-states," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    3. Ina Ganguli & Marieke Huysentruyt & Chloé Le Coq, 2021. "How Do Nascent Social Entrepreneurs Respond to Rewards? A Field Experiment on Motivations in a Grant Competition," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 67(10), pages 6294-6316, October.
    4. Mayshar, Joram & Moav, Omer & Neeman, Zvika, 2017. "Geography, Transparency, and Institutions," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 111(3), pages 622-636, August.
    5. Shuhei Kitamura & Nils-Petter Lagerlöf, 2025. "Battles and Capitals," ISER Discussion Paper 1290, Institute of Social and Economic Research, The University of Osaka.
    6. Adeyemo, Temitayo, 2021. "The 4th Industrial Revolution: What Role Does Infrastructure Play in Livelihood Choices and Outcomes of Agrarian Households?," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315136, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. van Besouw, Bram & Ansink, Erik & van Bavel, Bas, 2016. "The economics of violence in natural states," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 132(PA), pages 139-156.
    8. Borcan, Oana & Olsson, Ola & Putterman, Louis, 2021. "Transition to agriculture and first state presence: A global analysis," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    9. Ivan Lopez Cruz & Gustavo Torrens, 2019. "The paradox of power revisited: internal and external conflict," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 68(2), pages 421-460, September.
    10. Daniel HOMOCIANU & Dinu AIRINEI & Ciprian Ionel TURTUREAN, 2018. "An interdisciplinary analysis with data mining and visualization tools applied on multiple and multi-source time series - The case of the forest fund in Romania," The Audit Financiar journal, Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, vol. 16(151), pages 382-382.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • N4 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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