Riane Eisler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Riane Eisler
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | July 22, 1931 Vienna, Austria
|
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Riane Tennenhaus Eisler |
| Alma mater | University of California |
| Known for | The Chalice and the Blade (1987, 2022)
The Real Wealth of Nations (2007) Nurturing Our Humanity (2019) |
| Spouse(s) | David Elliot Loye |
Riane Tennenhaus Eisler (born July 22, 1931) is an American writer, lawyer, and thinker. She was born in Austria. She studies how societies work, especially how gender and family roles have shaped history. Eisler is famous for her 1987 book, The Chalice and the Blade. In this book, she created the ideas of "partnership" and "dominator" societies.
Her work has appeared in many publications, from Scientific American to Human Rights Quarterly. She was one of the first to say that human rights should include women and children.
Eisler's research offers new ways to look at our past, present, and future. She suggests how we can build a more caring world. This world would also be better for the environment. Her newest ideas connect childhood, families, gender, and money. She shows how these parts of life help create either partnership or dominator societies.
About Riane Eisler's Life
Riane Eisler was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1931. Her family had to leave in 1939 to escape the Nazis. They moved to Cuba. For seven years, Riane and her parents lived in a poor area in Havana. Later, they moved to the United States. They lived in Miami, New York, and Chicago before settling in Los Angeles.
Eisler studied sociology and law at the University of California. She is a lawyer and a writer. She has written many books. Her first book, Dissolution: No-Fault Divorce, Marriage, and the Future of Women, came out in 1977.
Partnership and Dominator Societies
In her 1987 book, The Chalice and the Blade, Eisler introduced two important ideas: "partnership" and "dominator" societies. These ideas help us understand different types of societies. They are different from common ideas like right/left or capitalist/socialist.
- Partnership societies are about peace, fairness, and equality for everyone, including genders. They value caring for each other and the planet. In these societies, helping others is seen as very important. Sharing responsibility and caring are top priorities.
- Dominator societies often have unfair rules based on things like gender or race. They can lead to wars, harm to the environment, and unfairness. Violence is often used to keep power over others.
Eisler's research shows that for thousands of years, most human societies were based on partnership. They supported people's ability to care for life. But about five to ten thousand years ago, things changed. Societies started to become more about domination. This change led to more violence and unfairness. Caring for people and nature became less valued.
The Chalice and the Blade has sold over 500,000 copies. It has been translated into about 30 languages.
Today, Eisler is the main editor for the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies at the University of Minnesota. She also gives talks around the world. She leads the Center for Partnership Systems. This center has many resources to help people build a more partnership-focused world.
The Center for Partnership Systems
In 1987, Riane Eisler and her husband, David Elliot Loye, started The Center for Partnership Systems. This group works to research and teach about building fair systems. These systems should support people and our planet.
As of 2024, the Center is a place online where people can find resources. It offers tools and connections for those who want to create a more partnership-oriented world.
How Riane Eisler's Ideas Have Influenced Others
Many important people have praised Riane Eisler's work:
- Desmond Tutu, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, called Eisler's book The Real Wealth of Nations "a plan for the better world we have been so urgently seeking."
- Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California's "first partner," said Eisler's book Nurturing Our Humanity shows "the roadmap for a world that leads with partnership."
- Ashley Montagu called The Chalice and the Blade "The most important book since Darwin’s Origin of Species."
- Gloria Steinem said Eisler's book Sacred Pleasure was "Eisler’s most stunning, far-reaching, and practical gift."
- The children’s singer Raffi called Eisler's book on education, Tomorrow’s Children, "a pathway toward a child-honoring society."
- Marianne Williamson called Eisler's book The Power of Partnership "Stunning…the map to a world that works for all of us."
Eisler's ideas are taught in schools and universities. They have influenced people all over the world.
What People Say About Her Talks
People who have heard Riane Eisler speak often say her talks are very inspiring:
- Edward M. Hundert, a former president of Case Western Reserve University, said her talk had a "remarkable impact" on his team.
- Alex Loeb, a former leader at Microsoft, said Eisler was "compelling" and "inspiring."
Awards and Honors
Riane Eisler has received many awards for her important work:
- 2022 Centers for Compassion, Humanitarian Award
- Honorary member, Club of Budapest (other members include Mikhail Gorbachev)
- 2017 Visionary Award, Feminist Press
- 2014 Pioneer Award, Institute for Women’s Leadership
- 2009 Distinguished Peace Leadership Award, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (also given to the Dalai Lama)
- 2008 Honorary Ph.D. degree, Saybrook Institute
- 2008 Included in the book Great Peacemakers
- 2005 Honorary Ph.D. degree, Case Western Reserve University
- 2000 Ethics Award, Foundation for Ethics and Meaning
- 1996 Humanist Pioneer Award
- 1996 Alice Paul ERA Education Award
- 1992 Shaler Adams Foundation award for work on Women's Rights as Human Rights
- 1990 National Women's Conference Committee Torchbearer's Award
- 1987 Congressional Award for Outstanding Contribution
- Monterey Distinguished Community Leader
- Phi Beta Kappa
See also
In Spanish: Riane Eisler para niños
