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Scarcity and Inequality

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  • Manus I. Midlarsky

    (Department of Political Science, University of Colorado, Boulder)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between scarcity and inequality, especially in the comparison between the behavior of agrarian and industrial societies. Specifically, we ask why it is that major revolutions almost always occur in predominantly agrarian societies but almost never in industrial ones. Whereas industrialized countries experience increased equality with increased a bundance, and follow a hypothesized curvilinear function, this is not true for agrarian societies as evidenced in three data sets. Redistributive and authenticating revolutions follow from the scarcity condition. Exponential distributions of landholdings and increased inequality are found to apply in agrarian, prerevolutionary situations. Land inequality is a potent predictor of mass revolution. Population growth is found to be a major source of inequality, and the emergence of inequality even in advanced industrial societies suggests certain similarities with the early stages of the agrarian sector. Thus, the future stability of the more industrialized countries may be threatened.

Suggested Citation

  • Manus I. Midlarsky, 1982. "Scarcity and Inequality," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 26(1), pages 3-38, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jocore:v:26:y:1982:i:1:p:3-38
    DOI: 10.1177/0022002782026001001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Boxley, Robert F., 1971. "Farm Size and the Distribution of Farm Numbers," Journal of Agricultural Economics Research, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 23(4), pages 1-8, October.
    2. Atkinson, Anthony B., 1970. "On the measurement of inequality," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 2(3), pages 244-263, September.
    3. Folke Dovring, 1973. "Distribution of Farm Size and Income: Analysis by Exponential Functions," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 49(2), pages 133-147.
    4. Budd, Edward C, 1970. "Postwar Changes in the Size Distribution of Income in the U.S," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 60(2), pages 247-260, May.
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