New Books in Food
James C. Scott, "Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States" (Yale UP, 2017)
Jun 3, 2020
James C. Scott, Sterling Professor of Political Science at Yale University, challenges the conventional wisdom about state formation in his insightful discussion. He argues that states did not emerge simultaneously with agriculture, but much later, and critiques the health implications of early farming. Scott explores the dynamics of domestication, the advantages of 'barbarian' societies, and the role of cereal crops in state power. He also reflects on the ongoing debates about urbanization and state success, hinting at his future project related to the Irrawaddy River.
55:58
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Quick takeaways
- The formation of early states did not directly follow agricultural development, challenging the conventional understanding of their synchronous emergence.
- Contrary to the belief that early agrarian societies enhanced well-being, evidence suggests that hunters and gatherers had superior nutritional health.
Deep dives
Revising Historical Narratives
The rise of early civilizations around 6000 BC is often misunderstood, as their establishment is believed to have been solely due to the domestication of plants. However, it is highlighted that evidence shows domesticated plants existed at least 4,000 years prior to the formation of agrarian villages. This raises questions about why the domestication did not instantly lead to organized societies. The assumption that early states improved nutrition and quality of life is challenged, indicating that hunters and gatherers maintained better nutritional status than their agrarian counterparts.
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