The worst case is when the value is falling significantly below the minimum of 1, but the resources are still more than enough. This is basically the result of inter-societal dominance with the leeching strategy of the dominant one on the weaker or oppressed one (i.e. such a society consumes more than it produces, yet lives in plenty by drawing on weaker societies). Similarly, if the value is near or equal to 1 but there is still a large deficit in the basic resources, then this can be a sign of external leeching (i.e. such a society produces enough, but its resources are drawn away by a dominant one). This can also be the case if the society is trying to meet the global artificial standards and subsequently falls victim to the hegemony of the dominant ones. Another reason can be a lack of coordination within the society that leads to either wastage or concentration of the resources.
From Part 6: The Seven Societies Side by Side.
