Complex Systems

Repression of Satisfaction as the Basis of the Emergence of Old World Complex Societies Download PDF

Saida Hachimi El Idrissi   *
Mohamed Nemiche

IMI Laboratory
Ibn Zohr University
Agadir, Morocco
  * saida.hachimi12@gmail.com

Mohamed Chakraoui
Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga
Khouribga, Morocco

Abstract

History has seen many empires across all lands. Empires are various communities and groups with different cultures and ethnicities, expanded over large areas of land and ruled by the same polity. The main objective of this paper is to increase our understanding of the formation of Old World complex societies from primitive societies, using agent-based modeling. Sigmund Freud considers that civilization could not exist without the restraint of human desires. The repression of satisfaction is the prerequisite for progress and the formation of civilization. For individuals to cooperate in a large group, it is necessary to repress some desires and respect norms to keep harmony in the group. This will lead to the increase of group progress and the formation of huge and complex societies.

In this paper, we describe a theoretical agent-based model that explains the rise of Old World complex societies through Freud’s model. The main assumption of our model is based on the following causal chain: intensification of warfare more repression of satisfaction (social norms and institutions) more progress increasing group productivity rise of Old World complex societies.

Keywords: agent-based modeling; repression of satisfaction; cooperation; competition; Old World complex society

Cite this publication as:
S. H. El Idrissi, M. Nemiche and M. Chakraoui, “Repression of Satisfaction as the Basis of the Emergence of Old World Complex Societies,” Complex Systems, 29(3), 2020 pp. 655–667.
https://doi.org/10.25088/ComplexSystems.29.3.655