Original article:
http://edge.org/3rd_culture/diamond/diamond_p2.html
1, Diamond's main theme is that the differences between human societies on different continents are attributable to differences among continental environments rather than to biological differences among people themselves. His key points include:
a). Continents with a larger number of wild animals suitable for domestication developed a higher level of agriculture.
b). Continents that have east - west axis turned out easier for animals to spread, given similar day-length and climate along the same latitude.
c). Advanced agriculture facilitated the development of technology, weapon and political system, which were influential for success of human societies.
d). Continents that had contacts with outside areas enjoyed access to new technologies.
e). Continents with a larger number of human societies adopted technologies that had significant use because of competition between societies.
2, Diamond identifies continental environment to be the most important determinants to a society's success.
Eurasia enjoyed the largest success around A.D. 1500. The continent was the largest land on earth and had the most animal species. As a result, it contained the largest number of animals that were domesticable. Additionally, Eurasia had east-west axis, which made it easier for animals and plants to spread given the similar day-length and climates. The abundance in domesticable species gave rise to thriving agriculture. Animals allowed farmers to manure more land than farmers could by their own efforts. Increased productivity produced food surplus, which enabled other people to devote to developing metal weapon, writing and ships. Food surplus also brought stratification, which created political organization eventually. What is more, Eurasia contained a large number of different human societies which were in constant contact with each other. This allowed the spread of new technologies. Competition among human societies also motivated societies to adopt the technologies that were of significant use.
3. Most of the economically successful districts nowadays enjoy a favorable environment that allows rapid technology boom. Countries like the US have a large volume of cultivable farmlands and diversified climates that allow the growth of different species of planets and animals. This leads to a more advanced agriculture, which implies that a smaller proportion of the country's resources are directed into farming; more resources are used to develop technology. Technological growth increases a country's productivity and facilitates the country's economic success.
On the other hand, although areas like Hong Kong and Singapore had few cultivable lands for farming, they enjoy the advantages of convenient location and close connection with other countries. Their advantageous location makes it less costly to transport food from other countries. Therefore, they are able to focus on developing technology and increasing productivity. Additionally, given their high contact with other areas, they import and accumulate an increasing volume of technologies. Intensive competition between countries in the region motivates these countries to adopt technologies that are most meaningful for their economic growth.
