Patriarchy

This entry outlines definitions of and debates on patriarchy, ranging from the ‘rule of the fathers’ to a diverse range of broader feminist theorizations in terms of, for example, the domestic mode of production, economic systems, reproduction, sexuality, and violence. This is followed by noting some critiques of the concept of patriarchy as, for example, too monolithic, ahistorical, or insufficiently intersectional, as well as how patriarchy has become important as a critical frame in some theorizations of masculinities. These discussions feed into the consideration of several ways in which patriarchy, as both concept and social formation, are relevant for analyses of management. These include: patriarchy as a context of management; the management of patriarchal arenas, such as the state and capitalist organizations; and management as a manifestation of patriarchy. More specifically, attention is drawn to the practices of patriarchal managements, patriarchal managing, and patriarchal masculinities; and the increasing recognition of plural, intersectional, and transnational patriarchal managements.