A quantitative analysis of intensification in the ethnographic record

Nature Human Behaviour • Vol/Iss. 2021 • Springer Nature • London • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Sandeford, David S.

Hypothesis

The standard model predicts that more intensive systems of food production will be less productive per unit of energy input.

Note

Intensity and labor productivity in foraging, extensive, intensive, and early industrial societies were plotted. Intensity increased linearly over the four categories, labor productivity increased exponentially. These results suggest that more intensive systems will actually be more productive per unit of energy input, which is opposite to the hypothesis.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Box and whisker plotsNot supportedN/AN/AN/A

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Labor ProductivityDependentProduction And Supply
Foraging SocietiesIndependentFood Quest, Land Use
Extensive Agricultural SocietiesIndependentTillage, Diet
Intensive Agricultural SocietiesIndependentTillage, Diet
Early Industrial SocietiesIndependentEconomic Planning And Development, Capital Goods Industries
Intensity of LaborDependentLabor And Leisure