Introduction
“Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond examines the history of the world, revealing the peculiarities of each continent. Diamond presents the historical background of the development of social life on a definite territory, researching geographical position, climate condition, nature sources, and agriculture orientation. Each chapter of the book makes a basis to the conclusion in Epilogue that states the main idea of Diamond’s work. The main point of the research is the scientific substantiation of the theory of geographic determinism. This research is aimed to deliver the reflection of the book in terms of its significance and validity of the information.
The reflection on the book
The theory of the geographical determinism
The epilogue starts with the formulation of the problem under discussion. Diamond answers, “I would say to Yali: the striking differences between the long-term histories of peoples of the different continents have been due not to innate differences in the peoples themselves but to differences in their environments” (1997, p. 405). The causes of the historical development of the proper social group include differences in their continental flora and fauna, the landscapes and size of the territory, and the number of population. The natural peculiarities determine the traditions in the breeding of domestic animals and the cultivation of plants. Comparing different continents, Diamond suggests the explanation of the rapid growth of technological innovation in the countries of Europe and China. He argues that the great role in the industrial development plays the “cultural factors and idiosyncratic individuals” (Diamond, 1997, p. 416).
Four factors of the historical development
Diamond detaches four factors which determine all historical developments. The first factor is based on the agricultural orientation that determines the domestic animals and potential crops. The second factor is the continental conditions for the spread agriculture. The third factor touches the geographical position of the continent concerning the possibilities of the knowledge transmission between continents. And the last factor is population size. Diamond notes, “those four sets of factors constitute big environmental differences that can be quantified objectively and that are not subject to dispute” (1997, p. 417). The book is provided with the anthropological research facts. Though, his approaches of evolutionary biologist deal only with the evident samples, so that his work leaves the space for the further elaboration. He claims that his theory doesn’t aim to explain everything.
The role of culture
Diamond doesn’t limit his theory with the geographical data. He examines the historical development in the complex research of economics, politics, culture, language, and religion of the population. These factors explain the direction of the peoples’ history, their principles of industrial formation, involvement to wars, and aptitude for influence or continuity. Diamond leads to the conclusion, “History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples’ environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves” (1997, p. 425).
Conclusion
Diamond’s theory is based on the “geographic determinism” (1997, p. 420). He explains the difference in the historical development of different peoples by the geographical differences of the regions of their settlement. The environmental factors determine the main direction of the history of the particular population. They allow to diagnose the advantages and shortage lacks for that to find the right way of the future progress. The book can not be regarded as the infallible guide for the explanation and prediction of the historical development, but it highlights the background of the course of certain events.
Reference
Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.