Differential Rates of Change and Violence: France and Germany,1820-1920

Abstract

The guiding theory relating differential growth rates of social systems or subsystems to maladaptive behaviors and/or violent exchanges can be traced back in time at least to Malthus. Although it seems possible to identify at least four conditions that may tend to reduce the effects of differential growth, it is claimed that none of these conditions apply to the interaction and growth of France and Germany in 1820-1920. Since the violent exchanges occurred both in 1870-1871 and in 1914-1918 a clear difference in power-related growth rates is expected. The empirical data showed Germany (Prussia) vastly superior in the rate of growth of popula tion and energy produced, that France and Germany seemed to be about even in regard to scientific and technical information, and that France was only superior in the growth of space controlled during a part of the time studied. It is concluded that the theory has received support. Technology, its correlates and their rates of change may be said to be the central emphasis of this theory and many similar theories. Two other sets of violence or aggression theories are population density theories and the set of biological, psychological or social-psychological theories. Accept ing one of these three theory sets as having explanatory value does not imply rejection of the other sets.

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