polygamy, polygamy
- “the practice of having multiple spouses simultaneously”
- Having more than one spouse at a time.
When translated into Japanese, “monogamy” is not appropriate because it only applies to cases where the male side is singular.
- But “polygamy” would include many-to-many relationships.
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- I want a name for concept X that would include not only B but also C but not D.
polygamy
- https://ja.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/複婚
- This is not X either, it’s a broader concept.
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(DeepL)
- Polygamy, the practice of having multiple spouses at the same time, has been part of many different cultures throughout history. From an economic perspective, polygamy can be analyzed through the lens of several factors, including resource allocation, labor specialization, market dynamics, and social welfare. It is important to note that the implications of polygamy can vary widely depending on the particular cultural and socioeconomic context in which it takes place.
- Resource allocation: monogamous households may be able to allocate resources more efficiently than monogamous households. This comes from economies of scale, where larger households can make better use of resources and share costs. However, polygamy may also lead to inequality because it may concentrate resources in smaller groups and less resources for others.
- Specialization of labor: monogamy facilitates division of labor and specialization, which may lead to increased productivity. The division of labor may include childcare, cooking, farming, and income generation. However, these benefits depend on the specific division of labor and the skills of the people involved.
- Market Dynamics: The practice of polygamy can create an imbalance in the marriage market. If polygamy is practiced primarily by wealthy or high status men, it can lead to a shortage of potential spouses for lower status or less wealthy men. As a result, the marriage market may become competitive, increasing the cost of marriage and leading to social unrest.
- Social Welfare: Social Welfare: The economic impact of polygamy on social welfare can be both positive and negative. On the one hand, large households may be better suited to support vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and the disabled. This may lead to improved social cohesion and intergenerational support. On the other hand, polygamy may exacerbate existing social inequalities, especially in patriarchal societies, where the practice may contribute to the marginalization and powerlessness of women. Such unequal power dynamics can limit women’s access to education, economic opportunities, and decision-making power within the family, negatively impacting overall social welfare.
- Public Goods and Taxation: Polygamous households can affect the supply of public goods and the tax system. For example, the greater the number of households, the greater the demand for public infrastructure such as schools and health care, which may put pressure on public resources. In addition, the tax system may need to accommodate polygamy, as many countries have adopted tax systems that are based on polygamy.
- In conclusion, the economic impact of polygamy is multifaceted and context-dependent. While there are potential benefits, such as more efficient resource distribution and labor specialization, it can also lead to resource concentration, market imbalances, and social inequality. The overall impact of polygamy on the economy depends on the specific cultural, social, and economic context in which it takes place.
This page is auto-translated from /nishio/複婚 using DeepL. If you looks something interesting but the auto-translated English is not good enough to understand it, feel free to let me know at @nishio_en. I’m very happy to spread my thought to non-Japanese readers.