Climate Crises Can Lead to Improved Social Cooperation and Economy
A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in April 2021 challenges the common assumption that climate disasters have only negative impacts on societies and economies. The research, titled “Climate Change and State Evolution,” examines climate-related tensions in ancient Mesopotamia and uncovers an unexpected result: climate crises led to increased cooperation among different social sectors and a more widespread distribution of power.
Authored by Carmine Guerriero from the University of Bologna and Giacomo Benati from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, the study takes a game theory approach, analyzing multiple papers on Bronze Age Mesopotamia. Contrary to the prevailing narrative of “collapse archaeology,” which associates severe droughts with institutional crises, this research reveals a different outcome.
The researchers found two key results in their analysis. First, during periods of severe drought, elites in Mesopotamia granted stronger political and property rights to non-elites, fostering cooperation and a culture of shared investment returns through public goods provisions. This shift led to a more inclusive political process and cooperation among diverse groups. Second, a more favorable climate allowed elites to maintain cooperation under less inclusive political regimes, leading to weaker cooperative cultures and possibly incomplete property rights.
In an interview with the Independent Media Institute, the authors explain the significance of their research. By examining historical societies like ancient Mesopotamia, they aim to offer a theory of hope, challenging the notion that climate change inevitably leads to societal collapse. Their findings suggest that societies can adopt more inclusive political, fiscal, and legal orders to cooperatively endure unfavorable environmental conditions.
The researchers also stress the importance of using historical records and paleoclimatic data in combination with applied economics methods to tackle modern social issues like climate change. Ancient societies can serve as “completed social experiments,” offering insights into the impact of environmental changes on human communities.
The study has implications for the current global climate crisis and its related challenges. While climate change has clear negative effects on economies, the researchers propose that climate-induced shocks may lead to democratization episodes and foster more inclusive political regimes in the long run. By calibrating interventions based on the skills of different groups, societies can enhance cooperation and create enduring institutional changes.
The study of ancient Mesopotamia provides a hopeful perspective, encouraging us to reevaluate the impact of the present-day pandemic and to take action to turn short-term social failures into future successes. By looking at the past, researchers and policymakers can identify strategies to address climate crises and promote cooperation, ultimately guiding societies in facing the challenges of the modern world.
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
