
Contents
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11.1 Introduction 11.1 Introduction
-
11.2 Historical Background and Conceptual Framework 11.2 Historical Background and Conceptual Framework
-
11.2.1 Historical Background 11.2.1 Historical Background
-
11.2.2 Conceptual Framework 11.2.2 Conceptual Framework
-
-
11.3 Data and Empirical Estimations 11.3 Data and Empirical Estimations
-
11.3.1 Data Sources 11.3.1 Data Sources
-
11.3.2 Preliminary Evidence 11.3.2 Preliminary Evidence
-
-
11.4 Identifying a Causal Relationship 11.4 Identifying a Causal Relationship
-
11.4.1 Controlling for Observables 11.4.1 Controlling for Observables
-
11.4.2 Caste Systems and Disease Exposure 11.4.2 Caste Systems and Disease Exposure
-
11.4.3 Excluding Reverse Causality 11.4.3 Excluding Reverse Causality
-
-
11.5 Conclusion 11.5 Conclusion
-
Notes Notes
-
References References
-
Appendix Appendix
-
Data Sources Data Sources
-
Standard Cross-Cultural Sample Standard Cross-Cultural Sample
-
Ethnographic Atlas Ethnographic Atlas
-
Descriptive Statistics and Further Evidence Descriptive Statistics and Further Evidence
-
-
-
-
-
11 Caste Systems and Technology in Premodern Societies
Get access-
Published:October 2017
Cite
Abstract
This chapter sheds new light on the effects of social institutions on long-run development. In particular, it explores the impact of caste systems during the early phases of economic and demographic development through how the systems influenced the possibilities for labor specialization. Based on data for precolonial social organization across different ethnicities, the chapter provides novel evidence that supports the hypothesis that caste systems were indeed conducive to specialization and technological sophistication. The hypothesis builds on the idea that caste systems, by promoting strong ties of solidarity and cooperation within groups, might have facilitated and accelerated the process of labor specialization and technological advancement. Moreover, the endogamous group might have represented the natural basin from which to recruit labor for extending production beyond the family unit.
Sign in
Personal account
- Sign in with email/username & password
- Get email alerts
- Save searches
- Purchase content
- Activate your purchase/trial code
- Add your ORCID iD
Purchase
Our books are available by subscription or purchase to libraries and institutions.
Purchasing informationMonth: | Total Views: |
---|---|
November 2022 | 1 |
August 2024 | 1 |
November 2024 | 1 |
Get help with access
Institutional access
Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:
IP based access
Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.
Sign in through your institution
Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.
If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.
Sign in with a library card
Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.
Society Members
Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:
Sign in through society site
Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:
If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.
Sign in using a personal account
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.
Personal account
A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.
Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.
Viewing your signed in accounts
Click the account icon in the top right to:
Signed in but can't access content
Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.
Institutional account management
For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.