The Malthusian Trap

The lack of liberty and self-determination was certainly a reason that technological progress was slow in the ancient and medieval world. But it wasn't non-existent. As time went on, better farming techniques increased yields, scientific discoveries were made, and innovations spread. In many ways, economic life improved, but average income did not. Almost everyone was still living at the subsistence level. The economic pie was getting bigger (albeit very slowly) but the slice each person was getting stayed the same. This is called the Malthusian Trap, and it held humanity back for a long time!