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On Causes and Consequences of Ancient and Modern Population Changes 1
Author(s) -
COWGILL GEORGE L.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
american anthropologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1548-1433
pISSN - 0002-7294
DOI - 10.1525/aa.1975.77.3.02a00030
Subject(s) - agrarian society , economic shortage , prime mover , population , population growth , perception , development economics , history , economics , sociology , agriculture , demography , psychology , engineering , philosophy , archaeology , neuroscience , mechanical engineering , linguistics , government (linguistics)
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.