Society and Culture

Why Patriarchy Is Superior

By Dweep Chanana ⋅ March 23, 2006 ⋅  Email this post ⋅ Post a comment

Foreign Policy has an interesting article related to demographics and its coming impact on the world.

Before you go flaming me, note that I’m simply refering to it. The idea is distasteful to liberals and feminists, but what the article presents is not opinion. It is fact, and one I’ve heard - and supported before.

The argument is simple. Culturally or religiously conservative families - which are also patriarchal - provide more support to and encouragement for having children. In subsequent generations then, the number of children born to conservative families (and therefore conservative themselves) will increasingly outnumber the more liberal children - where families have one - or no - children. Think of it as survival of those fittest to produce children.

I’ve heard this argument in India before, where some say that Muslims, who are reproducing must faster, will eventually outnumber Hindus. And I’ve seen it demonstrated in the West. More conservative couples and those worried about maintaining their (white) lines have more children. Ultimately, they will prevail. America is doomed to Republicanism. Europe to a return to religion.

And what of India? India remains largely patriarchial, though the ties are weakening in the city. Yet, the wide disparities in urban and rural life - and associated culture - make a sudden shift unlikely.

It would be interesting to hear other views on the topic. And perhaps a good start would be to understand where the author, Phillip Longman is coming from (is he a conservative?). Unfortunately, discussion on this topic is difficult, because there is a very fine line between informed debate and racism or xenophobia. Still, there is some truth to it. The meek shall reproduce, and inherit the earth.