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Quote by Marilyn French

“Democracies claim that they do not subscribe to the lie of patriarchy but hold everyone equal. A society of equals votes for one man to be held a limited superior for a limited time, in order to govern not as a divine appointee, but as the people's choice. But patriarchal thinking, with its idolisation of power a belief in transcendence, permeates all societies and cannot simply be ignored. Power cliques develop in patriarchies, and soon enough become supreme, even over the elected governor. In our time, these cliques are multinational corporations. Politics cannot change unless patriarchy ceases to be the primary structure of our thought.”

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

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From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

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Author

Marilyn French

Marilyn French, born on November 21, 1929 and died on May 2, 2009, was a prominent American author known for her feminist perspective in her works. Her writings focused on the status of women in society, family, and sexuality, with notable works including 'The Feminine Mystique'. more

“Patriarchy insists that some people are better than others because its primary reason for existing is to assert that men are superior to women. But because this claim is a falsehood, it is regularly challenged. States built on lies are insecure and are easily threatened; leaders must endlessly propagandise, insisting their lies are truths.”

Feminism Sexism Misogyny Women S Rights Women S Liberation Radical Feminism Women S History

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

Source: From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

“Patriarchy was conceived as a revolution against female domination; men pulled together against a sex described as inferior in order to usurp women's powers. But they did not really want women's powers: they did not want the responsibility for producing and raising children and the daily work of sustaining men. They wanted symbolic powers - ownership of children and women.”

Feminism Sexism Misogyny Women S Rights Women S Liberation Radical Feminism Women S History

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

Source: From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

“The assertion of female inferiority prepares the ground for men's subjection, because the principle of superiority ramifies endlessly. If one man can be superior to another, the second man may also be superior to a third, and so on. If men can be superior to women, some men can be superior to other men. Male solidarity attempts to blur that fact, to assert that "down deep" all men are brothers. But this ideal is far from realisation in this world - men are united only when they are opposed to women. Male superiority is a psychological core of patriarchy, but its political and economic purpose is the subjection of other men. Men have regularly rebelled against one ruler or another but have never rebelled against the principle of superiority - the only rebellion that can end the injustice and misery that arises from invidious distinctions - or generic discrimination.”

Feminism Sexism Misogyny Women S Rights Women S Liberation Radical Feminism Women S History

Book:From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1

Source: From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women in the World, Vol. 1