We analyze development trajectories of early civilizations where population size and technology are endogenous, and derive conditions under which such societies optimally 'switch' from anarchy to hierarchy - when it is optimal to elect and support a ruler. The ruler provides an efficient level of law and order, but creams off part of society's surplus for his own consumption. Switching to hierarchy occurs if the state of technology exceeds a threshold value, but societies may also be 'trapped' at lower levels of technology, perpetuating conditions of anarchy. We present empirical evidence based on the Standard Cross Cultural Sample that support the model's main predictions.
The origins of governments: from anarchy to hierarchy / Baker, Matthew; Bulte, Erwin; Weisdorf, Jacob. - In: JOURNAL OF INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS. - ISSN 1744-1374. - 6:2(2010), pp. 215-242. [10.1017/S1744137409990336]
The origins of governments: from anarchy to hierarchy
WEISDORF, JACOB
2010
Abstract
We analyze development trajectories of early civilizations where population size and technology are endogenous, and derive conditions under which such societies optimally 'switch' from anarchy to hierarchy - when it is optimal to elect and support a ruler. The ruler provides an efficient level of law and order, but creams off part of society's surplus for his own consumption. Switching to hierarchy occurs if the state of technology exceeds a threshold value, but societies may also be 'trapped' at lower levels of technology, perpetuating conditions of anarchy. We present empirical evidence based on the Standard Cross Cultural Sample that support the model's main predictions.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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