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Different Behavioral Explanations of the Neolithic Transition from Foraging to Agriculture: A Review

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  • Tisdell, Clem
  • Svizzero, Serge

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 neoclassical economics are shown to be inadequate for analyzing the choice problems involved. Moreover, it is argued that all behavioral 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

  • Tisdell, Clem & Svizzero, Serge, 2016. "Different Behavioral Explanations of the Neolithic Transition from Foraging to Agriculture: A Review," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 229769, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uqseet:229769
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.229769
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    2. Tisdell, Clem, 2014. "Information Technology's Impacts on Productivity, Welfare and Social Change: Second Version," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 195701, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    3. Svizzero, Serge & Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Concepts of Competition in Theory and Practice," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90469, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    4. 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.
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    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Sustainability: Can it be Achieved? Is Economics the Bottom Line?," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90512, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    9. 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.
    10. 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.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.
    13. Svizzero, Serge & Tisdell, Clem, 2015. "The Role of Palatial Economic Organization in Creating Wealth in Minoan and Mycenaean States," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 206552, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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    18. 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.
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    20. 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.
    21. 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.
    22. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2014. "Inequality and Wealth Creation in Ancient History: Malthus’ Theory Reconsidered," Post-Print hal-02153096, HAL.
    23. 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.
    24. 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.
    25. 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.
    26. Clem Tisdell, 2004. "Economic Competition and Evolution: Are There Lessons from Ecology?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 22(2), pages 179-193, April.
    27. 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.
    28. 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.
    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. 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.
    31. 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.
    32. 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.
    33. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2015. "The Persistence of Hunting and Gathering Economies," Post-Print hal-02150099, HAL.
    34. Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Economics, Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90618, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    35. 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.
    36. 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.
    37. Tisdell, Clement A., 2004. "An Overview of Globalisation and Economic Policy Responses," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90537, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    38. 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.
    39. 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.
    40. 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.
    41. Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "The WTO, Labour and Environmental Standards: Globalisation with Reference to India," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90518, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    42. 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.
    43. 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.
    44. 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.
    45. 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.
    46. 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.
    47. Gowdy, John & Krall, Lisi, 2013. "The ultrasocial origin of the Anthropocene," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 137-147.
    48. 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.
    49. 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.
    50. 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.
    51. 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.
    52. 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.
    53. 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.
    54. 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.
    55. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2015. "The Collapse of Some Ancient Societies Due to Unsustainable Mining Development," Working Papers hal-02152043, HAL.
    56. 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.
    57. 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.
    58. 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.
    59. 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.
    60. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Clement Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2019. "Economic Theory, Phoenician Pre-coinage External Trade, Changes in the Economic Surplus and its Appropriation - An initial Perspective," Working Papers hal-02274893, HAL.

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