Energy and the Macrodynamics of Agrarian Societies

For the present work, we utilized Leslie White’s anthropological theory of cultural evolutionism as a theoretical benchmark for econometrically assessing macrodynamics energy use in agrarian societies that constituted human civilization’s second paradigm between 12,000 BC and 1800 AC. As views society’s ability to harness control from its environment primary function culture, may classify evolution civilizations three phases according their paradigm, defined dominant pattern harvesting nature. In this context, distinguish paradigms so far: hunting–gathering, agriculture, fossil fuels. Agriculture, humanity’s ~14,000 years, essentially comprises secondary form solar is biochemically transformed by photosynthetic life (plants land). Based on property, model with similar principles natural ecosystems. Just like ecosystems, receive abundant input but also have limited land transform store them biochemically. constraint depicted carrying capacity emerging biophysically limiting factor. Hence, historical dynamics are reduced struggle maximize maximizing area productivity fertile –in role transformation hub– mitigating Such an evolutionary forcing introduced technical upgrades, leverage domesticated livestock power multiplier caloric value harvested arable grazing combined. According above, tested econometric performance four selected dynamic maps used extensively ecology reproduce 10,000 AC: (a) logistic map, (b) growth (c) lower case Hassel map yields Ricker (d) higher Beverton–Holt map. Following our results, discuss thoroughly framework’s major elaborations social hierarchy competition mechanisms allocating available society, well related future research modeling challenges.