Explore a comprehensive lecture on the evolution of government and organized violence throughout history. Delve into the Neolithic Revolution's impact, examining patterns in societal development and the emergence of disciplined violence. Analyze the characteristics of societies, inequality post-Neolithic era, and game theory applications to tribal dynamics. Investigate crucial breakthroughs in chiefdom formation and equilibria in tribal structures. Gain insights into the complex relationship between violence, power, and governance across different historical periods.
Overview
Syllabus
Intro
Locations of the Neolithic Revolution
Motivation
Patterns in the evolution of societies
Undisciplined versus disciplined violence
Characteristics of societies
Inequality after the Neolithic Revolution
Structure of a round of the game
Rules of engagement
Marginal return on investment in arms (for defense)
Two benchmark strategies
Paper: analyze 6 equilibria only bold are discussed
Single Tribe ST
Warring Tribe WT
Single Chiefdom SC: 5 crucial breakthroughs
Concluding remarks: 3 Tribe equilibria
Taught by
Santa Fe Institute
