On Market Forces and Human Evolution

Gilles Saint-Paul

No 3654, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: This Paper studies how an institution such as markets affects the evolution of mankind. My key point is that the forces of natural selection are made weaker because trade allows people to specialize in those activities where they are strong, and to offset their weaknesses by purchasing adequate goods on the market. Absent trade, people must allocate their time among all the activities necessary for their fitness. A fitness advantage in any given dimension will increase survival probability, so that in the long run natural selection makes sure that population is entirely made of individuals with the best alleles at all locations. Under trade, there exist long-run equilibria where less fit individuals are able to achieve the same survival potential as the fittest, by specializing in activities where they are not at a disadvantage, and purchasing goods that are substitute for activities in which they are 'weak'.

Keywords: Evolution; Genotype; Division of labour; Specialization; Geneculture coevolution; Natural selection; Trade; Exchange; Markets; Time allocation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J10 J22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2002-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hpe
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Working Paper: On Market Forces and Human Evolution (2002)
Working Paper: On Market Forces and Human Evolution (2002)
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