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The Malthusian Trap and Development in Pre-Industrial Societies: A View Differing from the Standard One

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  • Tisdell, Clem
  • Svizzero, Serge

Abstract

Presents a simple economic theory explaining how some agriculturally based preindustrial societies (for example, in the Neolithic period) developed despite most of their population being subject to Malthusian dynamics. Their development depended on a dominant class (limited in size) extracting the economic surplus which could be used (among other things) to accumulate capital and advance knowledge and thereby, add to this surplus. Cities facilitated this process. Extraction of the surplus prevented increased population from dissipating it and curtailing development. Several early extractive and non-inclusive societies were long lasting. This is at odds with the theories of some contemporary development economists.

Suggested Citation

  • Tisdell, Clem & Svizzero, Serge, 2015. "The Malthusian Trap and Development in Pre-Industrial Societies: A View Differing from the Standard One," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 197551, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uqsese:197551
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.197551
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    12. Kiriti, Tabitha & Tisdell, Clement A., 2003. "Commercialisation of Agriculture in Kenya: Case Study of Policy Bias and Food Purchases by Farm Households," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 105584, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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    18. Tisdell, Clement A. & Regmi, Gopal, 2000. "Push-and-Pull Migration and Satisficing versus Optimising Migratory Behaviour: A Review and Nepalese Evidence," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 100205, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    19. Mohammad A. Hossain & Clement A. Tisdell, 2005. "Closing the gender gap in Bangladesh: inequality in education, employment and earnings," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(5), pages 439-453, May.
    20. Tabitha W. Kiriti & Clem Tisdell, 2005. "Family size, economics and child gender preference: a case study in the Nyeri district of Kenya," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(6), pages 492-509, June.
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    23. Hossain, Mohammad A. & Tisdell, Clement A. & Ayon, Tonmoyee Hasan, 2012. "Does Workforce Participation Empower Women? Micro-Level Evidence from Urban Bangladesh," Bangladesh Development Studies, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), vol. 35(3), pages 51-78, September.
    24. Clement A. Tisdell, 2013. "Competition, Diversity and Economic Performance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13026.
    25. Moepeng, Pelotshweu T. & Tisdell, Clement A., 2008. "Associations between Poverty and Socio-economic Variables in a Typical Tswana Rural Village: New Insights," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 123546, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    26. Tisdell, Clement A., 2000. "Gender Inequality in India: Evidence from a Rural Survey in West Bengal," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 100037, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    27. Tabitha W. Kiriti, Clem Tisdell, Kartik C. Roy, 2003. "Female participation in decision making in agricultural households in Kenya: empirical findings," International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 2(2), pages 103-124.
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    33. Tisdell, Clement A. & Roy, Kartik C. & Ghose, Ananda, 2002. "Economic Theories of the Family and Discrimination in a Social Context: Entitlements of Kondh Tribal Females in India," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 100214, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    34. Tisdell, Clement A., 2000. "Sustainable Development and Human Resource Capital," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 100036, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    35. Mohammad, Hossain & Tisdell, Clement A., 2003. "Major Demographic Changes in Bangladesh and their Socio-economic Correlates: Analysis of Trends," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 106950, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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    41. Baker, Matthew & Bulte, Erwin & Weisdorf, Jacob, 2010. "The origins of governments: from anarchy to hierarchy," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(2), pages 215-242, June.
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    44. Tisdell, Clement A. & Roy, Kartik C., 2000. "The Socio-Economics of Gender Issues in Rural India: Results of Interviews in Three Villages and a Forest Meeting in Eastern India," Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers 100030, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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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