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<latsch@u.washington.edu> X-Posted from H-Atlantic ABSTRACTS IN ECONOMIC HISTORY (c) 2004 EH.Net ----------------------------------------------------------- Name: Wolfram Latsch Email: latsch@u.washington.edu Institution: University of Washington, Seattle Title: The Political Economy of the Savanna: States, Trading Networks and Castes in Medieval West Africa By mail: Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies 400 Thomson Hall Box 353650 Seattle, WA 98195-3650 Abstract: This paper investigates gold production and the gold trade in West Africa during the period of the medieval savanna empires (Ghana, Mali). We provide rough estimates of the productivity of gold mining in the region and argue that gold production was a highly labor-intensive activity requiring considerable mobilization of seasonal labor. This presented a challenge to aspiring states in a land-abundant environment, intent on harnessing gold production and the gold trade for purposes of taxation. Populations could choose to exit the ambit of the state instead of submitting to violence or taxation. The paper investigates the role of non-state institutions in stabilizing populations in a land-abundant environment. Two institutions are analyzed: trading networks as well as ritual and technical specialists within the local caste system. The paper concludes by evaluating the role and scope of the savanna states compared to the importance of non-state enforcement mechanisms in a land! -abundant environment. Bibliography: Latsch, Wolfram. "The Political Economy of the Savanna: States, Trading Networks and Castes in Medieval West Africa." University of Washington, Working Paper, 2004. Subject: I Geographical Area: 1 Country/Region: West Africa Time Period: 3 ------------------------------------------------------- Visit the library of Abstracts in Economic History or submit your abstract at:>http://www.eh.net/abstracts
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