Neues Arbeitspapier von Tim Krieger und Laura Renner: Polygyny, Inequality, and Social Unrest

Abstract:

This paper proposes three theoretical mechanisms through which polygyny may
be related to social unrest. The mechanisms are related to different dimensions of
grievance-inducing and, partly, greed-related inequality, which may occur in polygynous
societies. These dimensions include (i) economic, reproductive and social inequality
resulting in relative deprivation among non-elite men; (ii) inequality within
elites when it comes to the distribution of resources and inheritance, both related
to the relative position of dependent family members in a clan; and (iii) gender
inequality in general. Using data for 41 African countries from 1990-2014, we provide
evidence for these mechanisms and their relationship to social unrest. We find
that especially the first and third dimension of inequality are correlated with social
unrest. Furthermore, we consider several potential counter-arguments but do not
find support for them.

Eine Übersicht der bisherigen Diskussionsbeiträge sowie den aktuellen Beitrag finden Sie hier.