Circumscription Theory of the Origins of the State: A Cross-Cultural Re-analysis

Zinkina, Julia; Korotayev, Andrey V.; Andreev, Alexey

Circumscription Theory of the Origins of the State: A Cross-Cultural Re-analysis

Cliodynamics • Vol/Iss. 7(2) • University of California • Riverside, CA • Published In 2016 • Pages: 187-203 •

By Zinkina, Julia, Korotayev, Andrey V., Andreev, Alexey

Abstract

In this article, the authors reevaluate Carneiro's (1970) circumscription theory of state formation. They do this by examining relationships between the degree of political hierarchy and whether warfare is conducted for conquest, land acquisition, or plunder. While they find evidence that this theory is plausible in some situations, there is not enough to support the theory wholesale. Thus, they suggest that other theories of state formation should be investigated.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)	researcher's own

Hypotheses (3)
Hypothesis	Supported
Political centralization will be positively associated with the subjugation of territory or people as an aim of warfare (191)	Supported
Political centralization will be positively associated with the subjugation of land - fields, hunting/fishing territories, or pastures - as an aim of warfare	Supported
Political centralization will be negatively associated with plunder as an aim of warfare	Not supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: dmccloskey103 anj.droe

Circumscription Theory of the Origins of the State: A Cross-Cultural Re-analysis

Cliodynamics • Vol/Iss. 7(2) • University of California • Riverside, CA • Published In 2016 • Pages: 187-203 • Cite

By Zinkina, Julia, Korotayev, Andrey V., Andreev, Alexey

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (3)

Cliodynamics • Vol/Iss. 7(2) • University of California • Riverside, CA • Published In 2016 • Pages: 187-203 •