A Different Take on Patriarchy in Foreign Policy
Foreign Policy’s latest on-line issue has an important, and fairly sweeping article, called The Return of Patriarchy. It is about the impact of the falling birthrates in developed countries. It looks like lots more red states on the horizon – more conservative, and more of them. The author, Phillip Longman, makes a strong case that, from a cultural evolutionary perspective, the decline in population leads to a rise in the number of families with conservative values. He also presents a much more nuanced view of patriarchy than merely male dominance. Longman asserts that, “Patriarchal societies come in many varieties and evolve through different stages. What they have in common are customs and attitudes that collectively serve to maximize fertility and parental investment in the next generation.”
Worth a peak. Click here.