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A very short world history

A very short world history. Humans emerged 250,000 years ago. Lived for 240,000 years as foragers Maybe that life was pretty good. Agriculture emerged about 11,000 years ago . Land can support at least 50 times as many people But not necessarily a ‘ better ’ life than foraging

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A very short world history

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  1. A very short world history

  2. Humans emerged 250,000 years ago • Lived for 240,000 years as foragers • Maybe that life was pretty good

  3. Agriculture emerged about 11,000 years ago • Land can support at least 50 times as many people • But not necessarily a ‘better’ life than foraging • It’s hard to go back to foraging after you’ve farmed • Tribe loses foraging skills • Population has grown

  4. With agriculture • populations increase rapidly • farming creates environmental destruction • elites are needed to manage government, they take surpluses • Small elites (maybe 5%) get the benefits of civilization

  5. Elites build militaries to increase power • David Christian calls the overall system ‘the tribute-taking state’

  6. Early modern period (1750-1910) brings much more trade • Prosperity for Europe and white America • No progress elsewhere • Greatly increased environmental destruction

  7. Lessons from 11,000 years of history • Trade and division of labor really doincrease production • But in most of history, only a small minority has benefitted • And human production has had very negative impacts on the natural environment

  8. There is no simple way to bring the benefits of prosperity to all or end environmental damage

  9. After World War II, a real system for free trade is created • Many more people can participate • More people benefit • Poor countrties can create new economies • Many new regions, industries can prosper • But environmental destruction is worse.

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