What type of economies support larger populations through increased agriculture?

Hydraulic economies are characterized by their reliance on complex irrigation systems to support agricultural production, which in turn allows for larger populations to thrive. These economies develop around the management and distribution of water for farming, enabling the cultivation of crops in arid or semi-arid regions that would otherwise be unsuitable for agriculture.

The irrigation systems in hydraulic economies not only enhance agricultural output but also facilitate the accumulation of surplus crops, which can support larger communities. The management of water resources often leads to centralized authority or governance structures, as the construction and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure typically require coordinated efforts among a significant number of people.

In contrast, commercial economies focus more on trade and the buying and selling of goods, typically leading to increased specialization and economic complexity but not directly linked to enhancing agricultural capacity through water management. Barter economies, on the other hand, involve direct exchange of goods without monetary transactions and do not necessarily support larger populations through agriculture. Lastly, subsistence economies primarily focus on producing just enough to meet the basic needs of a small community, therefore not scaling up to support larger populations in the same way hydraulic systems do.