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Barter and Hierarchy: A Practical Perspective on Food, Society, and Knowledge in the Inca Empire

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  • Luis-Felipe Arizmendi

Abstract

The Inca Empire developed a sophisticated food production system, social organisation, and knowledge transmission without money or writing. The article introduces the concept of a barter economy structured through hierarchical cooperation and examines the Inca model from a practice-based (heuristical) perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Luis-Felipe Arizmendi, 2025. "Barter and Hierarchy: A Practical Perspective on Food, Society, and Knowledge in the Inca Empire," Papers 2504.15726, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2504.15726
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Massimo Livi‐Bacci, 2006. "The Depopulation of Hispanic America after the Conquest," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 32(2), pages 199-232, June.
    2. Marianna Belloc & Samuel Bowles, 2017. "Persistence and Change in Culture and Institutions under Autarchy, Trade, and Factor Mobility," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 9(4), pages 245-276, November.
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