Economic Systems of Foraging, Agricultural, and Industrial Societies

Cambridge University Press • • Published In • Pages: 316 •
By Frederic L. Pryor

Hypothesis

Societies depending on agriculture for primary subsistence can be divided into distinct economic groups based on significant positive associations with varying institutions of property and distribution. (102)

Note

'Herding Plus' (Hd+) economies were significantly negatively associated with level of economic development, individual field ownership, use rights, and ownership of 'empty land', and extent of land sales, and positively associated with inequality of wealth. Egalitarian (Eg) economies were significantly positively associated with individual field ownership and use rights and extent of land sales, and negatively associated with rent rate, extent of slavery, inter-community trade, wage labor inside community, and wealth inequality. Individualistic Farming (IF) economies were significantly positively associated with rent rate and extent of slavery and bride price. Semi-Marketized (SM) economies were significantly positively associated with level of economic development, rent rate, extent of inter-community trade, and wage labor inside the community, and negatively associated with extent of slavery.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Probit RegressionPartially supportedp < 0.05UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
SlaveryAssociationSlavery
Transfer Of Wealth At MarriageAssociationMode Of Marriage
Individual Field OwnershipAssociationProperty System
Individual Use RightsAssociationProperty System
Extent of Work CoordinationAssociationProperty System
Individual Ownership of Empty LandAssociationProperty System
Extent of Land SalesAssociationProperty System
Rate of RentAssociationRenting And Leasing
Extent of TenancyAssociationRenting And Leasing
Importance of Intangible WealthAssociationIncorporeal Property
Inheritance by FirstbornAssociationInheritance
Extent of Food SharingAssociationMutual Aid
Extent of Central Redistribution of FoodAssociationTerritorial Hierarchy
Extent of Mutual AidAssociationMutual Aid
Extent of Inter-Community TradeAssociationExternal Trade
Extent of Intra-Community TradeAssociationInternal Trade
Wage Labor Outside CommunityAssociationLabor Supply And Employment
Wage Labor Inside CommunityAssociationLabor Supply And Employment
Extent of Interest on LoansAssociationBorrowing And Lending
Inequality of WealthAssociationClasses
Relative Wealth: Political LeadersAssociationClasses, Community Heads
Extent of TaxationAssociationTaxation And Public Income
Agricultural Economy TypeAssociationTillage