Jared Diamond on Agriculture Review Essay
Introduction
Inequality is the subject of an ever-increasing amount of literature in the contemporary world, often focused on the disparity in wealth between nations. Jared Diamond, in his book Guns, Germs and Steel (GGS), has forwarded an explanation of how such inequality arose. This essay will assess his analysis. The contention here is that while he has produced a persuasive account of the disparities of the world, his evaluation is inadequate. The importance of bio-geography in shaping the contemporary world is
unquestionable, but Diamond has given it too much weight to a subject that has multiple causes, many of which cannot be accounted for by the physical environment. By comparing the work of other writers on the subject and engaging in a detailed examination of cultural factors, I highlight the flaws in Diamond’s work as a comprehensive account of world history and inequality. Three important issues need addressing before I begin this essay. First, the definition of inequality used here is that of the disparity between regions. It is duly noted that the term can be defined in a number of different ways, and that dimensions such as intra-national inequality can contribute to the economic performance of a nation, but it is perhaps more important to assess Diamond’s claims under his
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own definition first and foremost . His explanation is of broad inequality between continents and so this is where our focus will also lie. Secondly, the subject of responses to inequality must be raised. There is an important link between poverty and inequality, connecting the subject closely with development research and policy, an area on which GGS is silent. Some feel his ‘geography as destiny’ approach leaves us with something close to nihilism; human inequality as preordained . This is an unfair criticism. Admittedly, his essay might have been more forthcoming about normative reflections on the situation, but its lack of attention to remedy does not make him a
Inequality is the subject of an ever-increasing amount of literature in the contemporary world, often focused on the disparity in wealth between nations. Jared Diamond, in his book Guns, Germs and Steel (GGS), has forwarded an explanation of how such inequality arose. This essay will assess his analysis. The contention here is that while he has produced a persuasive account of the disparities of the world, his evaluation is inadequate. The importance of bio-geography in shaping the contemporary world is
unquestionable, but Diamond has given it too much weight to a subject that has multiple causes, many of which cannot be accounted for by the physical environment. By comparing the work of other writers on the subject and engaging in a detailed examination of cultural factors, I highlight the flaws in Diamond’s work as a comprehensive account of world history and inequality. Three important issues need addressing before I begin this essay. First, the definition of inequality used here is that of the disparity between regions. It is duly noted that the term can be defined in a number of different ways, and that dimensions such as intra-national inequality can contribute to the economic performance of a nation, but it is perhaps more important to assess Diamond’s claims under his
1
own definition first and foremost . His explanation is of broad inequality between continents and so this is where our focus will also lie. Secondly, the subject of responses to inequality must be raised. There is an important link between poverty and inequality, connecting the subject closely with development research and policy, an area on which GGS is silent. Some feel his ‘geography as destiny’ approach leaves us with something close to nihilism; human inequality as preordained . This is an unfair criticism. Admittedly, his essay might have been more forthcoming about normative reflections on the situation, but its lack of attention to remedy does not make him a
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