GL02 Project - Notes for Future Research

• Design "continuous" version of ecological-evolutionary typology consisting of the set of original measures of dependence on sources of subsistence, plus other typology variables entered as indicators; consider using combined hunting and gathering, or keep these measures separate (for possible different effects on relative positions of the sexes, e.g.).
• Analyze representative outcomes (e.g., specialization, hierarchy, presence of slavery, obedience, self-reliance, belief in creator god, ...) using both the discrete typology and the continuous version of the typology.
• Use either regression analysis or logistic regression, depending on whether outcome is continuous or a dichotomy.
• See if can show that continuous version of typology
• explains more of the variance than discrete version
• reveals more specific links between an outcome and specific source of subsistence, net of the pure surplus effect; if so can argue that continuous typology is more useful for theoretical research purposes
• Discuss pros and cons of continuous version of typology:
• continuous typology incorporates "hybrid types" more naturally, as any mix of sources of subsistence, even without a dominant one, can be included in typology; thus, more societies in EA or SS can be "classified" (i.e., have data on the classificatory variables) within the continuous version (how many?)
• the hybrid types can be integrated naturally within the typology, rather than representing a completely heterogeneous category, as is the case when using the categorical version
• the trade-off is that the continuous typology is not as intuitively immediate as the categorical one; thus while continuous typology may be better for research purposes, the categorical version may be superior for purposes of exposition
• As part of theoretical context can compare Human Societies to Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs, and Steel: both views have the same theoretical view of socio-cultural evolution as consisting largely of inter-societal selection, based on technological superiority of one type of society over another.  Lenski's view is more theoretical / typological; Diamond's view is more historical (in broad sense), and his typological discussion is disappointing, as he relies on a version of well-worn typology of Service, that relies on classification by the dependent variable (nature of political system) rather than the independent variables related to technology that Diamond actually uses in explaining social evolution.  Thus Diamond misses the opportunity of using his technological determinism as the basis for his classification of human societies; and he ends up using an ad hoc typology unrelated to his main theoretical "engine".  Thus one could try to combine both approaches to benefit from advantages of both views: Lenski's theoretical advantage of specifying the mechanisms of technological evolution and how technology confers a selective advantage; and Diamond in offering a breathtaking outline of the way socio-cultural evolution has actually taken place on planet earth.
• In connection with role of herding societies, emphasize that Lenski's typology should not be collapsed into the technological dimension only.  For example, see strong pattern of values inculcated to children: there is a tendency for emphasis on obedience to increase with technology and productivity from H&G to Agrarian (which is consistent with a collapsed typology that ignores specific environmental influences); but different pattern for herding societies, that emphasize both obedience and self-reliance, which can be explained in terms of herding life-style.  In this connection learn more about Saharasian thesis of James DeMeo (World Cultures 14: 2(Spring 2004).  "A 'Saharasian' Climate-Linked Geographical Pattern in the Global Cross-Cultural Data on Human Behavior."  Pp. 111-143.)  Perhaps in variable-based (rather than typological) perspective it would be possible to add a measure of "saharasia-ticity" of physical environment and expect this variable would have additional effects in the same direction as those of dependence on herding.