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Guns Germs And Steel Analysis

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Pulitzer Prize winner Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, written by Jared Diamond discusses in extended detail the advancement of mankind throughout its history. Anthropologist Diamond also brings to light an explanation as to why some societies advance more than others and are able to grow in population. He seeks to provide answers as to why some societies were able to conquer and defeat other societies and what allows for the development of modern societies. As such, Jared Diamond partially credits mans’ development into larger societies to domestication of plants and animals in section “Part Two: The Rise and Spread of Food Production.” Contrary to popular belief, agriculture did not evolve equally over Earth. Certain …show more content…

Diamond’s analysis is concise and easy to comprehend. He makes insightful points on the impact of agriculture as a weapon. He also reminds the reader that even though societies domesticated food, it did not necessary mean that they ceased hunting. It is important to note that hunting and agriculture co-existed among certain societies (102). Food production was a drawn out process, and in some areas, it did not occur until present day. Diamond neglects to mention certain downsides to food production, however. For instance, food production has a connection to the growth of specialization. Specialization encourages dependence for food from other sources. If the sources for food production fail, then those specialized in other skills are not able to create food for themselves (Pacheco). As previously mentioned, agriculture encourages the idea of property. Depending how one feels about capitalism, the notion of property has its own drawbacks, such as inequality. Hunter/gatherer societies were a part of true communism, which ensured everyone was fed equally (Pacheco). While modern day societies no longer function in that way, hunter/gatherer societies allowed for the protection of all members and thus

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