Societal Complexity and Institutions Quiz

Diseases that emerge and spread rapidly in large, dense populations, often due to close contact with animals and unsanitary living conditions.

Small groups of a few dozen individuals, often nomadic hunter-gatherers.

Communities of a few hundred people, often with more complex social structures than bands.

Larger groups of a few thousand or more, with centralized leadership and hierarchical social structures.

Complex societies with centralized governance, emerging around 8,000 years ago, involving populations over 50,000.

Institutions where elite control political and economic systems, extracting benefits and limiting wider participation.

Institutions that allow broad access to political and economic opportunities, promoting competition and innovation.

The process of transition from extractive to inclusive institutions, enabling wider participation and economic growth.

The process by which societies transitioned from hunting and gathering to food production, leading to greater food surpluses and the development of settled agriculture.

Food surpluses enabled the development of non-food related activities, leading to advancements in technology, art, and knowledge.

The Fertile Crescent, located in the Middle East, provided optimal conditions for the development of agriculture due to its abundance of domesticable animals and plants.

Plants and animals that are suitable for domestication because they can be easily controlled and bred by humans.

The geographic location and climate of Eurasia, especially the East-West axis, allowed for quick and efficient spread of agriculture due to similar latitudes and climate conditions.

The spread of infectious diseases from Eurasia to the Americas during European colonization devastated indigenous populations.

The Black Death, a deadly plague that ravaged Europe in the 14th century, killed about one-quarter of the population.

Jared Diamond's theory that geographic factors, such as the availability of domesticable plants and animals and the ease of agricultural spread, have played a significant role in explaining differences in development across the world.

For a government, acting without needing force or even explanations.

A complex concept with three categories: Procedural, Substantial, and Behavioral.

Based on processes like elections or merit-based appointments.

Based on the importance or status of the role.

Based on the actions and behavior of those in power.

The idea that competition between states, like in Europe, led to rapid advancements.

The shift of scientific leadership from East to West.

The argument that a fragmented Europe, with multiple competing states, drove innovation.

Refers to the economic growth potential that arises when a country's working-age population (ages 15-64) is larger than the dependent population (children and elderly).

A country's working-age population is larger than its dependent population (children and elderly), leading to potential economic growth.

A type of government aid targeted at the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

Provided by two countries, like a direct grant or a soft loan.

Provided by multilateral institutions like the World Bank or the IMF.

Direct funding for a specific project.

Loans with low interest rates or extended repayment terms.

A situation where a country is unable to escape poverty due to factors like lack of infrastructure, poor institutions, or limited access to markets.

Marx's idea that the capitalist system exploits workers by paying them less than the value of their labor, creating an unequal society divided between the wealthy bourgeoisie and the working proletariat.

Workers are also consumers, and driving down their wages would hurt the capitalists' profits. This led to a growing middle class and higher wages for workers in industrialized countries.

Achille Mbembe's argument that tradition can be a way of avoiding responsibility and blaming external factors for problems.

Moussa Konate's perspective that African cultural traditions can be influenced by historical trauma and resentment towards the West, leading to a mistrust of modernity.

A cultural factor that might lead to resistance to development, as it can be seen as admitting cultural and racial inferiority.

Max Weber's theory that Protestant ethics, particularly Calvinism, encouraged hard work, thrift, and wealth accumulation, leading to economic development.

Strong social pressures, limited opportunities for women, enforced conviviality, and a focus on family are characteristics often associated with African traditions.

The process by which European powers rapidly colonized and divided Africa in the late 19th century, driven by economic and strategic motives.

A situation where a country's trade deficit worsens as a result of heavy imports and limited local production, often because the population is too focused on providing for their immediate needs.

The rate at which a population grows, impacting the demand for resources like education and jobs.

The difference between the rate of population growth and the rate of economic growth.

The ability of a country to produce something at a lower cost than other countries, giving it a competitive edge in international trade.

The potential for a country's economic growth to be hampered by limited access to education, especially for children from lower-income families.

A situation where rapid population growth outpaces the ability to create enough jobs and provide sufficient education, leading to economic strain.

The decline in the quality of public services due to insufficient government funding, often caused by low tax collection rates.