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Primogeniture

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  • Chu, C Y Cyrus

Abstract

On the basis of anthropologists' area-specific research of primogeniture, the author proposes a Becker-Barro type of dynastic model in which primogeniture may emerge as family heads' optimal policy to minimize their respective lineal extinction probability. The author shows that parents' bequest division will be affected by the intrinsic mobility structure of the society, contrary to previous causality conjecture. Although an unequal division of bequests widens the within-generation inequality, it may increase the intergenerational upward mobility for the well-endowed child, which in turn improves the originally rigid upward mobility of the poor and middle-income groups and, as a result, reduces the steady-state income inequality. Copyright 1991 by University of Chicago Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Chu, C Y Cyrus, 1991. "Primogeniture," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 99(1), pages 78-99, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jpolec:v:99:y:1991:i:1:p:78-99
    DOI: 10.1086/261741
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Sadler & Robert Tamura, 2000. "Specialized Human Capital Investment, Growth and Convergence," Econometric Society World Congress 2000 Contributed Papers 1929, Econometric Society.
    2. Wakabayashi, Midori & Horioka, Charles Yuji, 2009. "Is the eldest son different? The residential choice of siblings in Japan," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 337-348, December.

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