Geographic Luck

Jared Diamond’s Theory of Geographic Luck explains the reason why some countries, such as Iraq, were able to develop more rapidly than other countries, such as New Guinea. Their ability to become modernized and gain power, wealth, and strength are based on various factors, such as the climate they lived in, the plants found in their surrounding environment, and the animal species found in the region that could be domesticated. Ultimately, it came down to one thing—geographic luck.

Firstly, Diamond’s theory is significant as the geography of a region determines the types of animal species found there, which then plays a major role in a civilization’s ability to become rich and powerful. Regions, such as the Middle East, had access to animal species that could be domesticated and used for muscle power. Some of these animals were cows, pigs, goats and

In the documentary, Diamond states that “the thirteen domestic animals are found in Asia, North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East”. The Middle East is one of the regions listed by Diamond and due to geographic luck, the land and the climate were able to give rise to these indigenous animals that were capable of being domesticated. These animals provided the people with protein and milk as an ongoing source of protein which fuelled their ability to advance as a civilization. This is one of the reasons why the Middle East is so successful and modernized today. Not only did these animals provide the inhabitants with protein and milk, but as Diamond stated, they also provided “hair and skin that could be used to make clothes for extra warmth”. This clothing made from the animal’s hairs led to pathways of