On Causes and Consequences of Ancient and Modern Population Changes1
- 1 September 1975
- journal article
- Published by Wiley in American Anthropologist
- Vol. 77 (3) , 505-525
- https://doi.org/10.1525/aa.1975.77.3.02a00030
Abstract
Population growth is not an automatic tendency of either ancient or contemporary agrarian societies. It is not an autonomous “prime mover” which accounts for developmental episodes. Even when population problems occur it is wrong to assume that they will generally stimulate developmental innovations. Development is more apt to be stimulated by more effective demand and perceptions of new possibilities. Stresses due to shortages may actually reduce effective demand and inhibit development. Better approaches for understanding development are suggested.Keywords
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