THE PLASTICITY OF FAMILY While the structure of human reproduction (family) is h

THE PLASTICITY OF FAMILY

While the structure of human reproduction (family) is highly plastic, and vacillates as needed throughout history, two things strike me as painfully obvious:

1) monogamy prevents all sorts of free riding in a society.

2) monogamous societies eventually conquer polygamous societies.

3) in the short term, polygamous societies produce excess males who can specialize in warfare, but who are universally problematic for society.

If you grow low maintenance crops you have time available for war. If you herd animals you always have time for war. If you farm rice you dont have time for war. So each group produces different warriors: constant raiders, militial warriors, and state soldiers.

The large state can more easily concentrate capital in its military. The militial warriors apply more dynamic tactics and weapons. And raiders simply apply constant pressure at low cost until the economy wears down, or an opportunity presents itself.

(You are much better off as a spoiled western woman….)