Humans, Hierarchy,And Human Rights

Abstract

In “Humans, Hierarchy, and Human Rights” Harold McDougall seeks to understand why so many social justice movements form, burn brightly, then either fade or are transformed away from their original mission. His explora­tion is interdisciplinary, using biological, anthropological, psychological, and sociological research to explain the causes which bring humans to band together in search of justice. It goes on to explain how hierarchies emerge within these groups, beginning with patriarchy and then "ramifying endlessly" in other forms of subordination. All these hierarchies “other” outsiders, foster fears and prejudices, change their missions, and ultimately lead to the groups’ undoing. This tendency toward forming hierarchies has limited the lifespans of countless organizations and movements comprising the "human rights project" that might have otherwise lived on to battle some of humanity’s worst social ills and inspire future generations. The answer lies in small-group organizing, scaled to match our genetically-engineered empathic connections.

Keywords: Patriarchy, human rights, social justice, classism, racism,rebellion, revolution, vernacularization

JEL Classification: A13, A14, N35, N36, N37, Z13, Q56