Kyriarchy – a neologism coined by Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and derived from the Greek words for “lord” or “master” (kyrios) and “to rule or dominate” (archein) which seeks to redefine the analytic category of patriarchy in terms of multiplicative intersecting structures of domination…Kyriarchy is best theorized as a complex pyramidal system of intersecting multiplicative social structures of superordination and subordination, of ruling and oppression.
Patriarchy – Literally means the rule of the father and is generally understood within feminist discourses in a dualistic sense as asserting the domination of all men over all women in equal terms. The theoretical adequacy of patriarchy has been challenged because, for instance, black men do not have control over white wo/men and some women (slave/mistresses) have power over subaltern women and men (slaves).
– Glossary, Wisdom Ways, Orbis Books New York 2001
That is an awesome word. Far more interesting. It makes things more complicated, which is good thing. Power is not a simple concept, nor can it easily or simply be reduced to something simple. (Was that over-convoluted pun too much?)
The blog kicks ass too.
I miss theory, so much. I miss reading entire books filled with those kind of wonderfully difficult concepts. I miss forcing myself to read and re-read and cry out of frustration, because nothing felt better than finally understanding and being able to apply what I read, to what I learned, am learning, and will learn.
