I believe that the only sustainable model that has been proven throughout history is one that is local, even if it moves from place to place over time. Once we discover that we cannot continue being dependent upon the extremely efficient energy source of fossil fuels (only efficient if one disregards the long term devastation caused by burning fossil fuels), then the pace of life will be much slower and simpler, and units much smaller. That does not preclude a certain complexity of social arrangements, but by and large the distance between people and their activities will be shortened, and accountability will be based more on personal familiarity, not virtual reality.

However, I take exception to your characterization of the social hierarchies in gender terms.

I say this because, ‘patriarchies’ do not and did not arise in isolation of the demands of the ‘mothers’. A fact that is conveniently ignored by the ’scholars’ in the women’s studies department. It is unfair to squarely put the blame of wars entirely on the shoulders of males. The resources required to keep the silent matriarchies humming and cooing are garnered through war. This is almost never highlighted.

Males of most societies do not choose to go into war voluntarily. A war is no excursion. Most men, of all era, clime and cultures, prefer the safety of home and their charge and wards, to the bloody bludgeoning in a battlefield. Yet, men go to war, because when faced with the choice of being over-run or to pre-empt being over-run, women cannot go to war. It is a social default. Life is unfair … in this case to men. And eventually to their women, should the men be defeated or killed in war.

The idea that a society which has acquired a ‘feminized’ contour / structure is going to be less violent is incorrect. In our own time, women have not been found lacking in restraint to avoid war. In fact, they have only been too willing and eager to utilize it as. Margaret Thatcher (Falkland Islands war), Indira Gandhi (Liberation of Bangladesh), Mao’s wife (Communist purge in China), Benazir Bhutto (Extension of proxy war in Kashmir) are but just a few examples. Women aren’t incapable of violence or of initiating or participating in wars. Until their exceptions rank, the violent male / patriarchy thesis is suspect.

Males either choose to go to war or have war thrusted upon them, because quite simply, the choice is to protect one’s family.

I am afraid, that the canard of men being the violent gender has been stretched a bit too thin.

Arguments against the state’s use of war, has and can be made using the elements of state relations that prevent effective peaceful conflict resolution.

Nevertheless, thank you for the article.

I also have a question about your accident in the railway. How could this happen ? You did not wake up and move away when the train was approaching ! I was upset as i read this in your biography.

I wish you my best Brian