Human Origins and Evolution in a Malthusian Economy

By Angus C. Chu
Published by World Scientific

Abstract:

This book develops an economic theory of the entirety of human evolution, presenting a Malthusian growth-theoretic framework to explore the origins of the human species and the development of human society across the prehistoric, agricultural, industrial and modern eras.

Early members of our genus Homo emerged over 2 million years ago, gradually evolving into Homo sapiens about 300,000 years ago. During most of their existence, early modern humans were hunter-gatherers and shared this planet with archaic humans, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. So, how did Homo sapiens emerge? Why did other human species become extinct while early modern humans survived? Why do modern humans still carry DNA from archaic humans? What caused the transition of human society from hunter-gatherer tribes to agricultural settlements and the subsequent development from an agricultural economy to an industrial economy? And how has education affected the emergence of innovation and given rise to the progression from pre-industrial stagnation to economic growth in the modern era? By addressing these fundamental questions through an economic lens, the book reveals the manifold influences that have shaped the unique trajectory of our species.