Economic Systems of Foraging, Agricultural, and Industrial Societies

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

Hypothesis

Foraging groups with middling levels of economic development (Human-Wealth-Oriented and Intangible-Wealth-Oriented societies) can be identified by certain property and distribution characteristics.

Note

Both HWO and IWO societies had significantly higher incidence of wealth inequality. Additionally, HWO is characterized by significantly higher slavery. IWO is characterized by significantly higher marriage wealth transfer, and significantly lower food sharing and taxation/tribute. Neither group had a significant relationship with Food storage, land possession, inheritance, or market/barter exchange.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Probit RegressionPartially supportedp < 0.05UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Economic DevelopmentAssociationEconomic Planning And Development
Food SharingAssociationMutual Aid
Food StorageAssociationPreservation And Storage Of Food
InheritanceAssociationInheritance
SlaveryAssociationSlavery
Transfer Of Wealth At MarriageAssociationMode Of Marriage, Nuptials
Wealth InequalityAssociationClasses
Market/Barter ExchangeAssociationExchange Transactions
Taxation/TributeAssociationTaxation And Public Income
Land PossessionAssociationReal Property
Intangible WealthAssociationIncorporeal Property