political arithmetic

Political arithmetic was a 17th and 18th-century science focused on the economic and demographic statistics of a political entity, such as a nation or state. This field involved collecting and analyzing population and economic numbers, often with the goal of assessing and enhancing state power.12

Early pioneers like John Graunt published mortality statistics in London, while William Petty explored "political arithmetic" by combining statistical records with calculations on population value. This approach aimed to understand and influence population growth and societal structure, as seen in the work of Johann Peter Süssmilch, who sought to demonstrate divine order in demographic trends while also offering advice to rulers on population management. While "history" once primarily meant political history, the "new political history" later incorporated scientific and quantitative approaches to study past human behavior.23