Evolution of family systems and resultant socio-economic structures

Abstract Families form the basis of society, and anthropologists have observed characterised a wide range family systems. This study developed multi-level evolutionary model pre-industrial agricultural societies to simulate evolution systems determine how each them adapts environmental conditions forms characteristic socio-economic structure. In model, competing evolve, which themselves comprise multiple evolving families that grow through labour. Each has two strategy parameters: time children leave parental home distribution inheritance among siblings. The these parameters demonstrates four basic emerge; can become either nuclear or extended, an equal strongly biased distribution. Nuclear in upon marriage emerge where land resources are sufficient, whereas extended staying at limited. Equal emerges amount wealth required for survive is large, small. Furthermore, frequency polygyny low present societies, it increases labour-extensive subsistence patterns other than societies. Analyses on demonstrate higher level poverty people families, accumulation accelerated with inheritance. By comparing distributions historical data, associated economic structures then, modern social ideologies. Empirical data analyses using cross-cultural ethnographic database verify theoretical relationship between conditions, systems, discussed model. studies made possible by this simple constructive as presented here, will integrate understandings anthropology, demography, socioeconomic histories.