Ultimate causes of state formation: the significance of biogeography, diffusion, and neolithic revolutions

Abstract: "The timing of early state formation varies across the world. Inspired by Jared Diamond's seminal work, the authors employ large-n statistics to demonstrate how this variation has been structured by prehistoric biogeographical conditions, which have influenced the timing of the transition from hunter/ gatherer production to agriculture and, in turn, the timing of state formation. Biogeography structures both the extent to which societies have invented agriculture and state technology de novo, and the extent to which these inventions have diffused from adjacent societies. Importantly, they demonstrate how these prehistoric processes have continued to shape state formation by influencing the relative competitiveness of states until the near present." (author's abstract)

Object Details

• Alternative title: Ultimative Ursachen für die Staatsbildung: die Signifikanz von Biogeographie, Diffusion und Neolithische Revolutionen
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Ultimate causes of state formation: the significance of biogeography, diffusion, and neolithic revolutions ; volume:35 ; number:3 ; year:2010 ; pages:200-226 ; Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; Historical social research ; 35, Heft 3 (2010), 200-226

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Geschichte

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Bang Petersen, Michael ; Skaaning, Svend-Erik

Further information

• DOI: 10.12759/hsr.35.2010.3.200-226
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-310750
• Rights: Open Access; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:45 AM CEST