Introducing the Social Evolution Forum

Cliodynamics: the Journal of Theoretical and Mathematical History Editor’s Column: Introducing the Social Evolution Forum Peter Turchin University of Connecticut Michael E. Hochberg Universite Montpellier II A central question of social evolution is elucidating the mechanisms and dynamics that resulted in the rise of large-scale complex human societies. How did ultrasociality (the ability of humans to cooperate in huge groups of unrelated individuals) evolve? Although much progress has been recently made in understanding the first phase of human social evolution, from ape-like ancestors to small-scale groups of hunter-gatherers, much remains to be discovered, and the area continues to generate considerable interest among researchers. Even more controversial is the second phase, the evolution of large-scale hierarchically organized societies with cities, states, extensive division of labor, writing, monumental architecture, etc. There is currently no consensus on the processes and mechanisms that are responsible for this major evolutionary transition. We think that conceptual (e.g., mathematical models) and empirical (databases) tools are now sophisticated enough to make possible dramatic breakthroughs in this discipline. The stakes are enormous—not only because of the scale of the intellectual puzzle and intrinsic interest in the emergence of states, empires and civilizations, but also because of potential application in addressing such societal problems as war and failed states, and more optimistically trust, peace, and large-scale cooperation. Currently, researchers interested in these issues work in highly diverse disciplines—anthropology, economics, sociology, political science, evolutionary biology, and mathematics—with little interdisciplinary contact. Periodically scientists from these different disciplines meet at conferences or workshops, and interact intensively, but durable projects rarely emerge. There are a number of challenges to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaborations, including semantics and different conceptual models and approaches. To remedy this situation we are launching a research network structured around an ongoing web-based seminar, the Social Evolution Forum (SEF). The activities based at the SEF will have three dimensions. First, in the Fall of Corresponding author’s e-mail: peter.turchin@uconn.edu Citation: Turchin, Peter and Michael E. Hochberg. 2011. Editor’s Column: The Social Evolution Forum. Cliodynamics 2: 215–216.