Thermodynamics 2.0 Program: Sessions and Abstracts

Mon - Wed, June 22 - June 24 , 2020 , Massachusetts, USA

Session T06: Social dynamics: Population, Power and Network

15:15-16:15. Monday June 22, 2020

Chair: Michael Francis McCullough

Title: Energy and Institution Size

Presenter:

  • Blair Fix

(York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

Bio-sketch

Author(s):

  • Blair Fix

(York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

images

Abstract:T06.W128

Abstract

Why do institutions grow? Despite a century of scientific effort, there is no consensus on this topic. I propose a new approach to studying institutions that focuses on energy consumption. As energy use increases, institutions tend to become larger. I show that this growth of institution size can be thought of as the growth of hierarchy. In short, as energy use grows, societies tend to become more hierarchical.

 

Keywords: energy, institution size, growth, hierarchy, society