Emad Barsoum writes: Patriarchal Authority in times of Democracy

Since man started to live in social groups, clans, and tribes; the necessity of having a leader arose. Whether chosen or appointed by force, it was a fundamental role among social groups of the homo sapiens. The leader position became highly desirable and addictive for all those who once tasted it, which consequently developed the need to secure the post for the longest time possible.

These needs and hunger for power and control became the main factor in the rise of religion. Those in charge were able to convince the public of their clans or tribes that they were the representatives of the gods on earth. Gradually the head of the clan became the most indispensable person for his followers, he became the Patriarch.

Through thousands of years, this social structure became the norm, and the political/military powers teamed up with the religious power and became inseparable to solidify the concept of Patriarchism.

It was not until the renaissance in the fourteenth century, followed by the discovery of the new world and the fall of Andalusia, when the classic philosophies of governance, freedom, equality justice surfaced through the writings and the arts and music of the founders of enlightenment. Only then the idea of the rule of the father, “The Patriarch” started to dissolve, which led to the call for establishing republics, and States without Monarchies, the formation of parliaments, the demand to restrain the power and control of religion, and on top, the requirement for democracy came to existence.

Shockingly, after democracy which created equality, freedom of speech, and justice, is deeply rooted in the modern world, particularly the western civilization, we have to endure a government that is trying to resurrect Patriarchism from its grave. 

A government that tried to convince the public that they were the only holders of the truth and knowledge about the pandemic and they have the protection, a government that forced its citizens to undergo social isolation practices and made vaccination passport the top required documentation for travel, to move and even to get a job.

They attempted to convince the people that the new way of life is working from home, shopping online, and even grocery will be delivered to their doors. They tried to silence any voice of protest or even question their policies. They buried the freedom of speech and criminalized questioning the government, the same way minors cannot question their parents deeds or decisions. Thus creating a society that cannot take its future in hand.

Ironically, the governing party has taken a name that is in total conflict with its actions, a government that deepened the differences between its citizens, so we now see politicians elected in the parliament or appointed into the cabinet because of affiliation to a particular group, race or ideology, regardless of the prime factor for choice, competence.

The return of the patriarchal government or even the head of the government is an explicit declaration of the death of democracy.