Cornell University Press The Evils of Polygyny: Evidence of Its Harm to Women, Men, and Society (The Easton Lectures)

Why do men act violently toward women? What are the consequences of "normal violence," not only for women and children but also for the men who instigate it, and for the societies that sanction it? The Evils of Polygyny examines one powerful structural factor that instigates, enforces, and replicates patterns of male dominance: the practice of polygyny. From more than a decade’s worth of study, Rose McDermott has produced a book that uncovers the violent impact of polygyny on women, children, and the nation-state and adds fundamentally to the burgeoning focus on gender concerns in political psychology and international relations. Integrating these fields, as well as domestic policy and human rights, the author urges us to address the question of violence toward women and children. If we do not, a system that tells young women they must marry whom their elders dictate and devote their entire lives to serving others will continue to plague the contemporary world, and restrict development. The timely nature of McDermott’s book reflects the mission of the Easton Lectures at the Interdisciplinary Center for the Scientific Study of Ethics and Morality at the University of California, Irvine, which charges its lecturers to produce work that is creative, controversial, and cutting-edge, and offers substantial real-world impact. The Evils of Polygyny, edited by Kristen Renwick Monroe, includes commentary from Valerie Hudson, Robert Jervis, and B. J. Wray. The book does just that, providing a coherent analysis of sexual violence and a provocative and chilling analysis of one of the major problems of the contemporary world. Review "The Evils of Polygyny is important for our society and the world. I do hope it will be read and taken seriously by policymakers. McDermott and Monroe have provided an important piece on an emerging discussion on the societal and political consequences of gender inequality that is well overdue." Author: Casey Klofstad, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Miami "McDermott’s book is provocative and presents an argument of great importance for prescribing novel political policies to quell violence within and between nations. The Evils of Polygyny pushes beyond traditional 'clash of civilizations' explanations for violence between and within nations to focus on the role of how women are treated." Author: Marijke Breuning, Professor of Political Science, University of North Texas "This book is a worthy successor to David Easton’s scholarship. Rose McDermott and her co-authors combine his insistence on scientific rigor with his commitment to social change. Kristin Monroe and her colleagues chose wisely." Author: Judy Baer, Texas A&M University "The Evils of Polygyny is excellent, timely, and valuable. Using rigorous methodology across a number of disciplines, the analysis is accessible to anyone interested in the social impact of polygyny. This book is a must read!" Author: The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, Canada's 19th Prime Minister About the Author Rose McDermott is the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor of International Relations and is Professor of Political Science at Brown University. Kristen Renwick Monroe is Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. Robert Jervis is Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Politics at Columbia University. He is the author of many books, including The Meaning of the Nuclear Revolution, also from Cornell, and, most recently, American Foreign Policy in a New Era.