nomadism as a political adaptation: the case of the Yomut Turkmen¹

An examination of the economy and political system of the Yomut Turkmen indicates that for this group nomadism was not an adaptation to economic conditions, but rather was a means of increasing military effectiveness. A broader implication discussed briefly is that among the Yomut the pressure of endemic warfare led to a harsh form of natural selection favoring all patterns of behavior which increased military prowess.