The collapse of complex societies

Description:

A survey of complex (post-hunter-gatherer, hierarchical) societies and their collapse, and the various theories proposed to account for collapse. The author develops his own theory based on the increasing cost of managing complexity that acheives decreasing marginal benefits.

subjects: Ancient Civilization,  Civilization,  Comparative civilization,  Philosophy,  Archaeology,  Regression (Civilization),  Complex organizations

Places: The Roman Empire,  Mayan Civilization,  Chacoan Civilization