Patriarchal Theory
Patriarchal Theory
So limited is the knowledge of the Political Scientists, regarding the origin of the state that it becomes very difficult, if not impossible to say when and how the state originated. But it can safely be asserted that the State is the outcome of historical evolution. Because, family is the oldest of all human institutions and because family is the first constituent of society, it has played a dominant role in the organisation of State. MacIver, an eminent political and social scientist, is of the same opinion. He says,"In the family,the primary social unit, there are always present the curbs and controls that constitute the essence of government, which is in continuation by the more inclusive society of a process of regulation that is highly developed within the family. The same necessities that create the family also regulate it. Here is government in miniature and already government of a quite elaborate character. "Therefore,it can safely be asserted that family has been a very important link in the development of State.a-Patriarchal Theory of the State
This theory explains that the family with the father as head expended into the clan and the clan into the tribe and finally the state came into being. The tribe expanded into the state. Blood relationship made its valuable contribution in the expansion of the family into the clan and of the clan into the tribe. While dealing with this process Leacock writes,"First a household, then patriarchal family, then a tribe or persons of kindered descent and finally nation-so emerges the social series erected on this bais." While Aristotle believe that the state took form "as a natural expansion of the family.Sir Henry Maine was the strongest supporter of Patriarchal Theory of state. At one time.he was the legal member of the Governor-General's Council in India.He has ardently advocated this theory through his well-known books-"Ancient Law" and "Early History of Instistution". According to Sir Henry Maine,"the eldest male parent-the eldest ascendant-was absolutely supreme in his household and his dominion extended to life and death and was as unqualified master over his children and their houses as over his saves." He further remarks "Over the members of his household, the eldest male parent possessed despotic authority. He was not only absolute owner of property including even what his children had acquired but he could even chastise and even kill, could sell or transfer by adoption, could marry or divorce any of his children at will."
b-Criticism of the Patriarchal Theory
1-McLenna, Morgan and Jenks have severely criticised the Patriarchal theory. According to them Matriarchal families because marriage system was not popular in the primitive society.2-According to Dr.Garner, the family and the state are altogether different.Both were organised for achieving different aims and performing different functions.And it is wrong to say that the one developed with the help of the other.
3-According to some political thinkers this theory does not throw light on the origin of state. It throws a flash of light only on the primitive society and family.
4-In his classical work,"This Golden Bough", J.G.Frazer warns that "he who investigates the history of institutions should constantly bear in mind the extreme complexity of the cause which have built up the fabric of human society and should be on his guard against a subtle danger incidental to all science-the tendency to simplify unduly the infinite variety of the phenomena by fixing our attention on a few of them to the exclusion of the rest."
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