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Transition to Agriculture and First State Presence: A Global Analysis

Author

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  • Borcan, Oana

    (School of Economics, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom)

  • Olsson, Ola

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

  • Putterman, Louis

    (Department of Economics, Brown University, Providence RI 02912, USA)

Abstract

It has often been observed that the emergence of states in a region is typically preceded by an earlier transition to agricultural production. Using new data on the date of first state emergence within contemporary countries, we present a global scale analysis of the chronological relationship between the transition to agriculture and the subsequent emergence of states. We find statistically significant relationships between early reliance on agriculture and state age in all sub-samples. Our findings show that this relationship is not markedly different in cases where states were imposed from outside or when they emerged through internal origination.

Suggested Citation

  • Borcan, Oana & Olsson, Ola & Putterman, Louis, 2018. "Transition to Agriculture and First State Presence: A Global Analysis," Working Papers in Economics 741, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0741
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2077/57593
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Adamson, Jordan, 2025. "Trade and the rise of ancient Greek city-states," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    3. James Kai-sing Kung & Ömer Özak & Louis Putterman & Shuang Shi, 2020. "Millet, Rice, and Isolation: Origins and Persistence of the World's Most Enduring Mega-State," Departmental Working Papers 2016, Southern Methodist University, Department of Economics.
    4. repec:osf:socarx:g8mye_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Ezcurra, Roberto, 2025. "Kin-based institutions and state capacity," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    6. James Kai-sing Kung & Ömer Özal & Louis Putterman & Shuang Shi, 2022. "Millet, Rice, and Isolation: Origins and Persistence of the World’s Most Enduring Mega-State," Working Papers 2022-003, Brown University, Department of Economics.
    7. Chandan Kumar Jha & Sudipta Sarangi & Ishita Tripathi, 2023. "Do historical agro-ecological factors shape current attitudes towards women’s rights and abilities?," Indian Economic Review, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 87-104, July.
    8. Roberto Ezcurra, 2024. "Sunlight, culture and state capacity," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(2), pages 285-315, May.
    9. repec:osf:osfxxx:dbkfh_v1 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Andrew Dickens & Nils‐Petter Lagerlöf, 2023. "The long‐run agglomeration effects of early agriculture in Europe," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 61(3), pages 629-651, July.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • N50 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - General, International, or Comparative
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth

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