Matriarchal Politics

On the basis of modern Matriarchal Studies, we can develop the vision of a new matriarchal, egalitarian form of society. This is called “Matriarchal Politics”.

 

The path to such a society has to combine matriarchal spirituality with politics, to create another kind of economy and another society. How this can be achieved is clearly portrayed by traditional matriarchal societies. Their economy, politics, social life and spirituality are inseparably connected, to provide a good life for all – this is assured through their structure and conventions.

Of course, we can not go back and simply transfer historical patterns to the present.  For example, the blood-relatedness of the clans or the sole dependence on agriculture. History and its social development can not be turned backwards. But for our own path into the new matriarchal, egalitarian society, we can gain much stimulation and great insights from these patterns which have been tried and tested for millennia.

 

Economically, we have arrived at a position where it is no longer possible to further increase large scale industrial production and Western living standard, without running the risk of totally annihilating the biosphere of the earth. A way out of this is subsistence-perspective, a style of economy for local and regional units. They work independently and self-sufficient, and the resulting quality of life is more important than producing a great quantity of goods. It is important to support the still existing subsistence economies the world over. Women are the main carriers of these economic structures and their societies.  They need to be supported and helped to expand, rather then  allow them to be sacrificed to the global market. This regionalisation,  for the sake of women, is a matriarchal principle.

 

On the social level, it is important to rid ourselves of the successive “atomisation” of society. It drives people deeper and deeper into desperation and loneliness, making them ill and destructive, providing fertile ground for violence and war. What is necessary is the creation of affinity groups or “siblings by choice”, be they intentional communities of different kinds, neighbourhood associations or regional networks. These affinity groups do not merely form interest groups, which are quickly created, but also quickly disbanded. These groups are formed on the basis of a spiritual-philosophical rapport of its members. This is the basis for creating a symbolic clan. Here far more commitment is present than in a mere interest group.

 

As a matriarchal principle, such symbolic clans are generally initiated, borne by and directed by women.  Right now women can instigate this, and many have already done so. The decisive factor are the needs of women and children, which are the future of humanity. Not men’s desires for power and dominion which have led to patriarchal extended families and political men’s clubs and associations which have contributed to oppression and exclusion of women. The new matri-clans, however, integrate men fully but according to a matriarchal set of values, which are based on mutual care and love instead of power. Men have a better life in this kind of society than in patriarchy. It would be a political aim to support the creation of such communities in every possible way.

 

On the level of political decision making, the matriarchal consensus principle is of utmost importance to reach a truly egalitarian society. This can be practiced in the here and now and everywhere. The consensus principle is the primary impulse for building matriarchal communities. At the same time, it prevents fractions, sub-groups or individuals from dominating the group. It brings about a balance between the genders and also the generations, for adolescence and older people have the same standing as everybody else. Furthermore, consensus is the genuine democratic principle, for it provides what formal democracy promises, but never delivers.

Following this principle, the small units of these new matri-clans are the true decision-makers, but this can only be practiced to the size of regions. According to the subsistence perspective, flourishing and self-sufficient regions are the political aim – not the big nation states, state unions and super powers which are merely serving to increase the power of the powerful and reduce individuals to “human resources”.

 

On the spiritual-cultural level, we are bound to bid farewell to all hierarchical religions with a transcendent view of the divine and a claim to the total truth. This has led to the vilification of creation, the environment, humankind and in particular that of women. Instead of this, the aim is a re-enchantment and sanctification of the world as a whole. For according to matriarchal values, everything in the world is divine. This leads to everything being honoured and celebrated in a free and creative way – nature in her manifold appearances and various beings, and the organisation of the human community.  This happens by celebrating the women at one time, at another the men, another the young people, and another the older people. Celebrating them and honouring their special skills and abilities and their “dignities”.

Every step we take towards this aim of creating a new matriarchal, egalitarian society is worthy of a celebration.  For each one of these steps is an act in the creation of a new her-story, which could provide an example of how all of humanity could live a happier life.

 

In this way, matriarchal spirituality can once again pervade everything and thus become a normal part of everyday life. At the same time, what again becomes apparent is matriarchal tolerance, for nobody has to “believe” anything. There is no dogma and no teaching, but the continuous, manifold celebration of life and the visible world.

MATRIARCHAL MANIFESTA

1. What is the STATUS of WOMEN today?

To cite a brief summary of the 1980 UN Report:

 

 

What a SCANDAL that is! Yet no one seems to get worked up about it.

But if we women believe a lot has changed in the meantime, then we are mistaken.

 

In 2010, the President of the UN Economic and Social Council cited the following figures:

 

 

This was the sitaution in 2000, in 2010, in 2018. The U.N.report is published annually, but nothing changes. The SCANDAL continues, and we are outraged!

 

We therefore demand fair distribution of the world income as expressed by the national wealth of individual states. We demand:

 

50% of all national wealth belongs to women and their projects.

Equally shared economy in all its aspects!

 

           

2. What could MATRIARCHAL POLITICS be today?

Economically

• The creation of new subsistence economies that are locally and regionally anchored.
• Subsistence communities are self-sufficient and establish sharing and gift giving circles; vouchers are the only form of money and free of interest (in opposition to capitalist monetary economy.)
• Property cannot be purchased and owned privately; the land is commonly possessed by all (commons). It belongs to the city or the rural district; there exists the right to build a clan-house on the land and the right of usufruct for agriculture.
• Living space is non-purchasable: everyone has a house to live in. There are no rentals.

 

Socially

• New intentional communities can be formed based on affinity.
• They consist of symbolic clans and see themselves as brothers and sisters through affinity.
• New symbolic clans are matriarchal when they are initiated and led by women and mothers related by affinity: women’s communities, women’s villages.
• This type of clans replaces the nuclear family as the fundamental unit of society.
• The clans/communities develop projects, or co-operatives, which are giving them togetherness and continuity.

 

Politically

• The matriarchal consensus principle, of great importance for egalitarian communities and an egalitarian society, is put into practice.
• In this way, true “grass-roots democracy” is created; decisions are made by all persons at local and regional levels (delegates are only information-bearers).

 

Culturally

• The whole world is seen as “sacred” again. Mother Nature is met with love and care.
• Every kind of living beings is revered as “divine” and celebrated by rituals, performed communally. Everybody is invited to take part. Celebrations bring all people together based on mutual respect for the “true wealth”: the diversity in the world.
• There are no religious institutions. In this way, matriarchal spirituality pervades everyday life and becomes a normal part of it.

 

 

3. How to put MATRIARCHAL POLITICS into effect today

• Fundamental Demand:  50% of all national wealth belongs to women and their projects.         
• At present, working women pay the same taxes as men. Millions of mothers work free-of-charge. But 90% of the monetary flow pours into men’s projects: military, international corporations, monumental ego-architecture, huge sport stadiums and events, etc. That must stop!

 

 

4. RESULTS of this changed situation:

Economically

• Women set up local subsistence economies fpor themselves and their communities: gardens, farms, their own stores, their own distributions, sharing and gifting of goods.
• Every extended family, or symbolic clan, set up by women receives its own house(s). Women’s villages are established.

 

Socially

• Women establish new communities, related by blood or affinity, with their affinity sisters and brothers. Their houses are multigenerational. Motherhood is collective. There is no more isolation of mothers in nuclear families, no social isolation of persons of any age group.
• Women start their own schools, colleges, cultural and technical academies and universities, in accordance with their own knowledge and values, sharing it with everybody. Women have their own medical facilities and their own healthcare.

 

Politically

• Women are the organizers and keepers of the consensus principle in their extended families, or symbolic clans, and also organize it on the local and regional levels. Practical bottom-up politics, no more abstract top-down party politics.
• Women have their own councils and self-administration, at communal, local and regional levels. Men have theirs as well, and communication between women’ councils and men’s councils takes place on an egalitarian basis. Women and men refrain from male dominated institutions, and don’t support them any longer.

     

Culturally

• Women have their own publishing houses, book stores, and distribution networks. They have their own technical facilities. They have their own art galleries, theaters, museums. Women create their own spiritual sites where they celebrate the Earth and life together with their communities.
• Women and all people of their communities stop further destruction of the environment, the soil, the water bodies, the Earth and its plants and animals.

 

WOMEN are – owning half of the economy which belongs to them – no longer just “those tolerated” in male institutions. They are no longer “beggars” for their own projects.

They run their own projects independently of male dominance, male values and male world views. A truly matriarchal society arises, one that is egalitarian and friendly to life!

 

 

5. What TO DO just now?

• Spread this information.
• Create an activist group.
• Write this U.N. report and the demand for the “equally shared economy” on a poster and show it in the streets.
• Create a movement via internet.
• Create local, regional, national strikes of women, who will meet at the towns central places demanding the “equally shared economy”.
• Contact women politicians of high position and convince them to collaborate.
• And many other ideas of your own.