Was polygyny an economic strategy for survival or a driver of social instability?
From the expansion of ancient empires to the agricultural productivity of sub-Saharan Africa, the practice of one man marrying multiple women has been viewed as both a vital economic asset and a catalyst for systemic violence and economic fragility.
Historically, polygyny has functioned as a complex socio-economic tool. In many sub-Saharan African societies, particularly those practicing shifting cultivation, an additional wife was often viewed as an agricultural asset. As noted by scholars like Ester Boserup, the labor of co-wives could expand a household's production, helping a man pay bride prices and acquire more land. In some West African regions, such as the savanna, the practice was even driven by a desire to maximize male offspring to provide a larger future workforce.
However, the practice is not without significant friction. While sororal polygyny—where co-wives are sisters—was used to reduce domestic strife, many polygynous families faced intense sexual jealousy and bickering. Beyond the household, the macro-economic implications are stark. Economist Michèle Tertilt suggests that polygynous countries often face lower GDP, reduced savings, and higher fertility rates. A 2014 study even estimated that banning the practice could potentially increase GDP by 170 percent in such regions by encouraging men to invest in families rather than mating competition.
The social consequences can be even more profound. Research indicates a correlation between high polygyny rates and increased societal instability, including higher homicide and rape rates. Some political scientists argue that the inequality created when men are unable to marry can lead to violence, noting that young men in polygynous groups may feel more aggrieved. This inequality has been linked to the production of suicide terrorists in certain contexts, where the promise of religious rewards serves to mitigate in-group conflict between 'alpha' and 'non-alpha' males.
Source: Polygyny
