The Marginal Utility of Inequality: A Global Examination Across Ethnographic Societies

Human Nature • Vol/Iss. 31(4) • Springer • London • Published In • Pages: 361-386 •
By Wilson, Kurt M., Codding, Brian F.

Abstract

In this study, the authors draw from intensity theory and combine previous research from the fields of behavioral ecology, economics, and social evolution to analyze drivers in the emergence and persistence of inequality across the world. They propose that environmental heterogeneity and circumscription (the difficulty of moving and establishing oneself in a new environment relative to remaining in the current one) play a significant role in the stratification of societies. Their results indicate that situations arise from various environmental conditions and levels of circumscription that may result in an individual giving up autonomy for material gain, thus favoring inequality.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Other researchers135 societies

Hypotheses (8)

HypothesisSupported
Circumscription and environmental heterogeneity will be positively correlated with the presence of inequality.Supported
Environmental heterogeneity will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Supported
Environmental circumscription will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Supported
Social circumscription will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Not supported
Warfare will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Not supported
Subsistence mode will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Supported
Geographic location will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Not supported
Phylogenetic relatedness will be correlated with the presence of inequality.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: anj.droe