The word “matriarchy” often conjures up many misconceptions. For some, it might sound like a flip of patriarchy—domination by women rather than men. But let’s set the record straight: a matriarchy isn’t about replacing one oppressive system with another. It’s about creating a society rooted in collaboration, care, and equity, where power flows through nurturing connections rather than hierarchical domination.

In the words of Riane Eisler, a matriarchal society is a “partnership model,” contrasting with the “dominator model” we see in patriarchies. It’s not about exclusion or revenge; it’s about inclusion and healing. But let’s not be naive: the systems of power that uphold patriarchy are deeply entrenched. They are not going to step aside gracefully and let a matriarchal vision unfold without a fight. To challenge these systems, we must first understand their nature.

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The Entrenched Nature of Patriarchy

Patriarchal power systems are masters of survival. They have embedded themselves in every corner of society: governments, corporations, religious institutions, and even our homes. These systems rely on the illusion of inevitability—they make themselves seem so vast, so unassailable, that change feels impossible. As bell hooks reminds us, patriarchy doesn’t just exist “out there”; it exists within us, in the way we internalise its values and police ourselves and others.

The rise of billionaires in the past two decades is one of the starkest symbols of patriarchy’s death grip on power. According to Oxfam, the number of billionaires globally has more than doubled since 2000, while wealth inequality has skyrocketed. These billionaires are overwhelmingly male, and they control more resources than billions of people combined. Their existence isn’t just a quirk of the economy—it’s a feature of a patriarchal system that hoards wealth, prioritises profit over people, and funnels power to the few at the expense of the many.

This is where the challenge lies: patriarchy has rigged the game. It thrives on competition, scarcity, and fear. It infiltrates the very structures—political, economic, and cultural—that are supposed to make decisions for the collective good. Any attempt to unseat these systems is met with resistance, often violent and insidious. So, how do we challenge what feels immovable?

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The Environmental Cost of Patriarchy

Patriarchy doesn’t just exploit people—it exploits the planet. Its systems of domination are mirrored in the way it treats the Earth: as a resource to be extracted, controlled, and commodified. The relentless pursuit of profit, driven by patriarchal capitalism, has led to environmental degradation on a massive scale—deforestation, pollution, species extinction, and the accelerating climate crisis. As ecofeminist Vandana Shiva writes:

“The patriarchal worldview sees nature as inert, empty, and exploitable.”

A matriarchy, by its very definition, cannot sustain this destructive relationship with the Earth. It is rooted in the principles of care, stewardship, and reciprocity. Indigenous matriarchal societies, such as those of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy), offer powerful examples. These communities prioritise the well-being of the land and future generations, guided by the principle of the Seventh Generation: decisions made today must consider their impact seven generations into the future.

Caring for the Earth is not a peripheral issue in a matriarchy; it is central. A matriarchal framework recognises that the health of the planet and the health of its people are inseparable. This perspective aligns with what Riane Eisler describes as the “caring economy,” where value is placed on actions that nurture and sustain life rather than extract and exploit.

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What Must Happen to Allow a Matriarchy to Emerge?

For a matriarchy to develop, the redistribution of power and resources is non-negotiable. This means dismantling the economic systems that prioritise profit over human and environmental well-being. Feminist economist Marilyn Waring argues that patriarchal economics undervalues the work of care and community—work that forms the backbone of society. To shift toward a matriarchal framework, we must redefine what “wealth” means, prioritising health, education, and environmental sustainability over GDP growth.

Here are key areas where transformation is critical:

1. Economic Reform: Wealth hoarding by billionaires is the antithesis of a matriarchal society. Policies that tax extreme wealth, redistribute resources, and support universal basic income are essential. These shifts would not only reduce inequality but also create space for collective care systems to flourish.
2. Environmental Justice: A matriarchy requires immediate action to halt the exploitation of natural resources. This includes enacting policies to combat climate change, preserving biodiversity, and supporting Indigenous land rights—acknowledging that these communities have long been the stewards of sustainable living.
3. Decentralised Power Structures: Patriarchy thrives on rigid hierarchies. A matriarchal society decentralises decision-making, ensuring that those closest to the land and its resources—such as Indigenous and rural communities—have the greatest say in how they are used.
4. Cultural Shifts: Patriarchal systems control narratives, often framing any challenge to the status quo as dangerous or utopian. A matriarchy must reclaim storytelling, using media, art, and education to highlight alternative ways of organising society.

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The Role of Grassroots Movements

While top-down change may seem impossible, grassroots movements are already sowing the seeds of matriarchal values. Indigenous matriarchal societies, like the Haudenosaunee, demonstrate how sustainability and care can be the foundation of governance. Modern movements, such as Fridays for Future and Extinction Rebellion, amplify these principles by placing environmental care at the centre of their demands.

These movements are not without their challenges. Patriarchy’s strength lies in its adaptability—it can co-opt language, ideas, and even individuals to maintain its grip. But grassroots efforts remind us that change begins in communities, with people daring to imagine something better.

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Building a matriarchy isn’t just about toppling patriarchy; it’s about creating a world that values care, collaboration, and equity above all else. This vision won’t be handed to us—it must be fought for, with an understanding of the resistance we’ll face. The rise of billionaires, the concentration of power, and the exploitation of the planet are stark reminders that the systems upholding patriarchy won’t simply step aside. But they are not invincible.

As Vandana Shiva writes, “Caring and compassion, sharing and solidarity are the currencies of life.” These are the principles a matriarchy embodies. By reconnecting with the Earth and each other, we can begin to dismantle the structures of dominance and replace them with systems of care.

The task ahead is massive, but it’s worth it. Because when we reimagine power, we reimagine the world—and that is the legacy we owe to future generations.

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References

1. Eisler, Riane. The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future. HarperOne, 1987.
2. hooks, bell. All About Love: New Visions. William Morrow Paperbacks, 2000.
3. Lerner, Gerda. The Creation of Patriarchy. Oxford University Press, 1986.
4. Waring, Marilyn. If Women Counted: A New Feminist Economics. Harper & Row, 1988.
5. Shiva, Vandana. Staying Alive: Women, Ecology, and Development. Zed Books, 1988.
6. Oxfam Report, Inequality Kills: The Unparalleled Wealth of Billionaires, 2022.