Matriarchal Theory: Main supporters of matriarchal theory, McLinnen Jacques and Morgan, etc. think that state has been originated from Matriarchal society,not from patriarchal society. In ancient times, the marital relations were not stable. Husband – wife relations used to be unstable and they developed on mutual understanding and were broken also on the same basis. The mother used to look after the offsprings. Children also gave preference to mother. Geneology was known by the mother and had no relation to the tribe of father.
Main Features of Theory:
- There was lack of stable marital relations.
- Blood relation could be known only through mother.
- Mother was considered to be the head of the family.
- Females had the right on family property. After the death of mother, property was divided among daughters, not sons.
Criticism:
- This is very difficult to assert that initially only matriarchal families were in prevalence.
- This theory throws light of development of society, but it only speculates about the origin of society, and especially, family. This cannot be accepted as reliable regarding the origin of state.
- Development of state is not as easy as this theory explains.
- This theory ignores other elements responsible for the development of state.
- This theory explains the development of society instead of state. Thus, this theory is more social than political.
Patriarchal Theory:
According to patriarchal theory, state originated from such families which were related to father. In ancient times, society was a group of families. Head of the family as father had unlimited powers. Every member of the family has to follow his orders, otherwise he would be punished. He could distribute his property according to his own wish.
He could eject anyone from his property and could marry his children according to his own wish. Clans were made from joining the families. All members of clan had blood relations and lived under the protection of the oldest male. Tribe were formed by joining many clans and state was formed from tribes.
Main Features of Patriarchal Theory:
- In ancient times, family was the unit of society.
- Basis of the family was stable and permanent marriage relations.
- Male used to be the head of family and there were many patriarchal elements.
- Geneology was searched only through males. Females had no right in the families.
- Father or Grandfather used to be the head of family. He had many unlimited powers.
- Clans were formed from patriarchal families and tribes’from clans and state was developed from tribes.
Criticism of Theory:
Criticism of this theory according to Mclinnen, Jacques and Gilchrist, etc. is the following:
1. In ancient times, all families were matriarchal, not patriarchal.
2. In ancient societies, tribes were given stability only by females. Thus, the head of the state was female or mother, not father.
3. Development of state has not been as easy as this theory explains. Contribution of Matriarchal & Patriarchal Theories
- Both these theories explain the contribution of blood relations in the development of state, because state is considered to be the expanded form of families.
- Both these theories have established the importance of feelings of obedience and discipline.
