Subsistence and Economy

Subsistence

There are different types of subsistences that human populations have practiced over the course of our existence; horticulture and agriculture just to name a few. The two most common practices are hunter/gatherer and agriculture. There are key differences between the two, and both offer benefits and disadvantages. Agriculture is fairly new to human kind, having practices hunting/gathering for thousands of years, but has a lot of potential in the future for various reasons.

Benefits
Some benefits of being a hunter/gatherer is that many cultures share whatever they are able to hunt down, which creates a sense of security. If you share your game equally with others in the community, the favor is returned if you are unable to provide after the next hunting trip. The community is very mobile and never rests permanently; they must keep moving in order to keep up with the food supply. The meat usually provides a lot of protein and vitamins needed for healthy growth, and it's easy to store if cooked.

Some benefits for agriculture might be that mass production us easily achieved, and it's an easy way to begin trading to different cultures. Many people can keep all of their produce for themselves, never obligated to share.

Disadvanatages
With hunting/gathering, the food is sometimes scarces, and the hunters will most likely be gone for days on end to be sure to capture enough game to provide.

For agriculture, many farmers never really rise above poverty, because the goverment often steps in and imposes taxes. Also, a person needs to eat a large combination of vegetables and produce in order to meet the same amount of protein that meat has to offer.

Diet
I'd say that hunting/gathering provides for a healthier diet because not only do they get vitamins from the various plants and seeds that they gather, but the meat is an awesome source of protein. Plus, their animals also provide milk, essential for good bone growth.

I think that humans made the transition into agriculture because they ficured out how to grow crops and stay in one place, which was easier than constantly moving from one area to the next. They invented irrigation systems, and new ways of planting crops, and learned when to plant which crop. It was out of convenience more than anything.

Economics

There is a direct relationship between the availability of surplus and the ability to trade; meaning, you can't trade unless you have the crops to do it and the people to do it with. It's basic supply and demand which is the key factor in modern day economics.

There are some benefits to trading with others. By trading, we get to try crops and provide essentials with our loved ones that we couldn't produce ourselves. Also, it's an enlightening experience to try something new that you would normally never ry in your own community. Another benefit is that it opens communication with other cultures, to better understand people who view the world differently than we do.

Some disadvantages are that it creates a competitive marketplace, and prices sometimes can get ridiculously high for things that shouldn't normally cost that much. It leaves the producers of the products stuck in poverty because they never see a dime of that money. The government steps in and regulates the prices so that a majority of the money goes back to the community, not the farmers. Another disadvantage is that mass production puts nutrition and animal rights on the back burner. Many animals are raised and slaughtered in the most inhumane ways, and it's all to make a quick buck.

Because agriculture allows us to mass produce, we are more available to trade and have the supplies to do so. In each region, there is a uniquie environment where unique crops are grown, and its very easy to buy and sell the products  to others when there is such high demand. Trade and economics grew along with the popularity of practicing agriculture.