Question

Why do some scholars think that the beginning of states is tied to the development of agriculture? In your answer, list two ways this article states that the development of the first governments were connected to agriculture.

a) Agricultural surplus allowed for the establishment of permanent settlements.
b) Agricultural societies had a need for organized systems of resource distribution.
c) Hunter-gatherer communities lacked the social structure necessary for governance.
d) Agriculture led to increased mobility and reduced the need for centralized authority.

Answer 1

The development of agriculture is linked to the beginning of states because it led to food surplus, which supported larger populations and permanent settlements, and required organized systems of resource distribution, leading to the creation of governed societies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Some scholars believe that the beginning of states is intimately tied to the development of agriculture for several reasons. The transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to sedentary agricultural communities allowed for the accumulation of surplus food. This surplus not only supported larger populations but also facilitated the rise of permanent settlements and complex societal structures. Correspondingly, the growth in population and establishment of these settlements demanded an organized system for the distribution of resources, which in some cases, led to the development of the first governments. When examining the connections between the rise of agriculture and governance, points a) and b) are particularly relevant:

• Agricultural surplus allowed for the establishment of permanent settlements.
• Agricultural societies had a need for organized systems of resource distribution.

These developments contributed to different labor specialization and social stratification, which together with population growth, later encouraged urbanization and the formation of political entities or regional empires.