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A spatiotemporal model of civilization
Author(s) -
Young David A.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 0005-7940
DOI - 10.1002/bs.3830290204
Subject(s) - civilization , simple (philosophy) , stratification (seeds) , class (philosophy) , mathematics , population , conquest , state space , mathematical economics , statistical physics , econometrics , computer science , geography , sociology , physics , demography , statistics , history , epistemology , artificial intelligence , seed dormancy , ancient history , philosophy , botany , germination , archaeology , dormancy , biology
A mathematical model of an urban civilization is presented. Both time‐ and space‐dependence of the four main variables, population, rural commodities, urban commodities, and state power, are described by coupled partial differential equations. The interaction of the variables produces a complex time evolution of the whole living system. Numerical solution of the equations reveals a number of realistic predictions, including class stratification and destruction of states by conquest. The limitations of the very simple ideas used in constructing the model suggest avenues of further research.