Polygyny, Inequality, and Social Unrest

63 Pages Posted: 22 Apr 2020

See all articles by Tim Krieger

Tim Krieger

University of Freiburg - Department of Economics

Laura Renner

University of Freiburg - Department of Economics

Date Written: 2020

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 first and third dimension of inequality are correlated with social unrest. Furthermore, we consider several potential counter-arguments but do not find support for them.

Keywords: polygyny, inequality, women's rights, social unrest, Africa, institutions

JEL Classification: D740, J120, J160

Suggested Citation

Krieger, Tim and Renner, Laura, Polygyny, Inequality, and Social Unrest (2020). CESifo Working Paper No. 8230, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3582326 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3582326

Tim Krieger (Contact Author)

University of Freiburg - Department of Economics ( email )

University of Freiburg
Wilhelmstr. 1b
Freiburg, D-79085
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.wguth.uni-freiburg.de

Laura Renner

University of Freiburg - Department of Economics ( email )

Freiburg, D-79085
Germany

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