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Powerarchy: Understanding the Psychology of Oppression for Social Transformation
Harvard-educated psychologist and bestselling author Melanie Joy exposes the psychology that underlies all forms of oppression and abuse and the belief system that gives rise to this psychology—which she calls powerarchy.
Melanie Joy had long been curious as to why people who were opposed to one or more forms of oppression—such as racism, sexism, speciesism, and so forth—often stayed mired in many others. She also wondered why people who were working toward social justice sometimes engaged in interpersonal dynamics that were unjust. Or why people who valued freedom and democracy might nevertheless vote and act against these values. Where was the disconnect?
In this thought-provoking analysis, Joy explains how we've all been deeply conditioned by the invisible system of powerarchy to believe in a hierarchy of moral worth—to view some individuals and groups as either more or less worthy of moral consideration—and to treat them accordingly.
Powerarchy conditions us to engage in power dynamics that violate integrity and harm dignity, and it creates unjust power imbalances among social groups and between individuals. Joy describes how powerarchies—both social and interpersonal—perpetuate themselves through cognitive distortions, such as denial and justification; narratives that reinforce the belief in a hierarchy of moral worth; and privileges that are granted to some and not others. She also provides tools for transformation.
By illuminating powerarchy and the psychology it creates, Joy helps us to work more fully toward transformation for ourselves, others, and our world.
Melanie Joy had long been curious as to why people who were opposed to one or more forms of oppression—such as racism, sexism, speciesism, and so forth—often stayed mired in many others. She also wondered why people who were working toward social justice sometimes engaged in interpersonal dynamics that were unjust. Or why people who valued freedom and democracy might nevertheless vote and act against these values. Where was the disconnect?
In this thought-provoking analysis, Joy explains how we've all been deeply conditioned by the invisible system of powerarchy to believe in a hierarchy of moral worth—to view some individuals and groups as either more or less worthy of moral consideration—and to treat them accordingly.
Powerarchy conditions us to engage in power dynamics that violate integrity and harm dignity, and it creates unjust power imbalances among social groups and between individuals. Joy describes how powerarchies—both social and interpersonal—perpetuate themselves through cognitive distortions, such as denial and justification; narratives that reinforce the belief in a hierarchy of moral worth; and privileges that are granted to some and not others. She also provides tools for transformation.
By illuminating powerarchy and the psychology it creates, Joy helps us to work more fully toward transformation for ourselves, others, and our world.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
21 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Joy
9 books384 followersMelanie Joy is an award-winning psychologist, bestselling author, and internationally recognized voice on the psychology of social transformation, relationships, and emotional resilience. She’s written seven nonfiction books, which have been published or contracted in 23 languages, and she’s the eighth recipient of the Ahimsa Award—previously given to the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela—for her work on global nonviolence.
With her trademark blend of intellect, heart, and humor, she brings a fresh perspective to fiction in her new book, "A Half-Hearted Death Wish"—a bighearted, quirky, and thought-provoking debut novel.
You can learn more about her at melaniejoy.org.
With her trademark blend of intellect, heart, and humor, she brings a fresh perspective to fiction in her new book, "A Half-Hearted Death Wish"—a bighearted, quirky, and thought-provoking debut novel.
You can learn more about her at melaniejoy.org.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 19, 2021
Ms. Joy has a talent for creating new words for various social phenomena, and in this book she presents a new one for the destructive power-over that causes so many problems, from the wide view of all sorts of societal injustice to the microcosm of our own relationships with others.
It should be noted that this is a rather academic book and it wrestles with some very dense and intense issues. I like that Joy repeatedly emphasizes that awareness/action on behalf of one social justice issue doesn’t automatically give one a free pass to ignore all of the others. Indeed, some of the most impassioned activists for one important cause may act downright destructively in other areas of their lives—as the book consistently reminds us.
It should be noted that this is a rather academic book and it wrestles with some very dense and intense issues. I like that Joy repeatedly emphasizes that awareness/action on behalf of one social justice issue doesn’t automatically give one a free pass to ignore all of the others. Indeed, some of the most impassioned activists for one important cause may act downright destructively in other areas of their lives—as the book consistently reminds us.
January 5, 2021
I continue my Melanie Joy binge reading.
This book actually took basically three whole entire days of just reading for me, because the material felt very dense, and I had to pause so many times to sort out my thoughts on what was written. This is one of those books that I wish everyone would read, but I feel that those who need to read it the most will not read it, so I have both transformatively positive, uplifting feelings, but also concern. But for my concern about a book to be that not everyone will read it, is a testament to the incredible content of this book. It has made me rethink how I operate in my relationships, how I approach activism, how I talk to myself, even how I phrase things.
I think the thing about the best of books, is that they articulate what you have always been feeling, while also opening new doors. This book articulated how I've always felt about black and white activism, and our inability to see moral complexity in others as activists. One line that especially resonated with me was: "we must interact with others as they are, not as we wish they are." And also the way interpersonal dysfunction is reinforced by, or expresses larger social dysfunction, articulated another thing I've always felt. The new door opened for me however, was the concept that underlying the issues in our world is not a philosophy, ideology, or even capitalism, it is a way of relating ourselves. When we relate ourselves unempathetically, in a way that asserts our superiority and invalidates the perspective and experience of the other side, that is when we run into problems ranging from a dysfunctional parent-child relationship to speciesism, to a range of other social justice issues.
Again, I highly recommend, and in fact cannot recommend this book enough.
This book actually took basically three whole entire days of just reading for me, because the material felt very dense, and I had to pause so many times to sort out my thoughts on what was written. This is one of those books that I wish everyone would read, but I feel that those who need to read it the most will not read it, so I have both transformatively positive, uplifting feelings, but also concern. But for my concern about a book to be that not everyone will read it, is a testament to the incredible content of this book. It has made me rethink how I operate in my relationships, how I approach activism, how I talk to myself, even how I phrase things.
I think the thing about the best of books, is that they articulate what you have always been feeling, while also opening new doors. This book articulated how I've always felt about black and white activism, and our inability to see moral complexity in others as activists. One line that especially resonated with me was: "we must interact with others as they are, not as we wish they are." And also the way interpersonal dysfunction is reinforced by, or expresses larger social dysfunction, articulated another thing I've always felt. The new door opened for me however, was the concept that underlying the issues in our world is not a philosophy, ideology, or even capitalism, it is a way of relating ourselves. When we relate ourselves unempathetically, in a way that asserts our superiority and invalidates the perspective and experience of the other side, that is when we run into problems ranging from a dysfunctional parent-child relationship to speciesism, to a range of other social justice issues.
Again, I highly recommend, and in fact cannot recommend this book enough.
March 31, 2020
Melanie Joy’s unpacking of the psychology that drives oppressive relationships in society, in interpersonal relationships, and even within ourselves, is something that every human would benefit to read and understand! She coins the title of the book, Powerarchy, as the word to describe how some people (or groups of people) assign a hierarchy of moral worth, and then proceed to develop an entire set of myths and narratives and defenses in order to maintain this hierarchy. It feels like Melanie has uncovered a dark secret that many people would not wish us to know about, and yet she has bravely gifted the world by revealing it and offering a key ingredient to humankindness, compassion, and empathy. This book is extremely important and timely. It is also very well written and accessible to people who don’t know much about human psychology or about activism/ confronting oppressive systems.
I especially appreciate the way that Melanie does not demonize the people maintaining oppressive systems and relationships; she skillfully examines what Power actually is, and how people seek empowerment usually as a way to maintain a sense of self-worth. Her ideas about transforming Powerarchies focus on shifting the relationship in question from a model of “power-over” to a model of “power-with.” She is not trying to convince people that power is a bad thing in itself, but that we become healthier as individuals and as a society when we are able to thrive in mutually empowering relationships.
The only question mark that I was left with after reading this book was-- how can this book, these ideas, get into the hands of those who most need it? I generally don’t see people in positions of power over others softening their hearts or willingly surrendering any part of that power-- rather, they tend to harden and defend themselves. Melanie seems to understand this, and takes a stance that we should do what we can to shift our own relationships to a power-with model, because each time this happens we are stepping in the right direction.
Even with this question mark left in my mind, I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
I especially appreciate the way that Melanie does not demonize the people maintaining oppressive systems and relationships; she skillfully examines what Power actually is, and how people seek empowerment usually as a way to maintain a sense of self-worth. Her ideas about transforming Powerarchies focus on shifting the relationship in question from a model of “power-over” to a model of “power-with.” She is not trying to convince people that power is a bad thing in itself, but that we become healthier as individuals and as a society when we are able to thrive in mutually empowering relationships.
The only question mark that I was left with after reading this book was-- how can this book, these ideas, get into the hands of those who most need it? I generally don’t see people in positions of power over others softening their hearts or willingly surrendering any part of that power-- rather, they tend to harden and defend themselves. Melanie seems to understand this, and takes a stance that we should do what we can to shift our own relationships to a power-with model, because each time this happens we are stepping in the right direction.
Even with this question mark left in my mind, I cannot recommend this book highly enough!
October 7, 2020
I appreciate the effort to invent words to help us consider our world from different perspectives. I'm not certain how well this exploration forces us to abstractly consider these ideas however, without simply getting caught up in repeating new terminology. Overall I enjoyed the work, and found the Dr Joy's sensitivity as a vegan to heighten her comprehension of the Non Violent Communication approach to the effects of hierarchy and power domination in our society on micro and macro levels. I often wonder how belonging to "out" groups informs some attitudes towards inclusion while leaving others unchanged.
July 27, 2020
I wish this book was required reading for everyone. It is an impressive analysis/framework of the importance of intersectionality when fighting oppression.
She starts by talking about how her vegan friends often end up being accidentally racist or ableist in their arguments for veganism. And her social justice friends do not always see how fighting or at least acknowledging speciesism or climate change could add to their social justice fights. From her perspective these are all different sides of the same coin-fighting systems of oppression. And if we fight oppression using the same Powerarchy (hierarchy of moral worth, ie: this group is inherently/objectively more valuable than another group) that fuels oppression, we may transform the type of oppression, but we will never be rid of it.
She says the three proponents of oppression are cognitive distortions (biases, confirming what we think we know), myths/narratives (assumptions that oppressive systems are normal, necessary, and natural, and undermining counter systems like antiracism or feminism), and both Practical and psychological privilege (people with privilege take up space, their privilege is invisible to them, and they rarely give it up or even acknowledge it without resistance and defensiveness). All of these elements ensure systems of oppression are self perpetuating.
In order to actually get rid of oppression (abuse of power either individually or systemically), we need to use ‘power with’ thinking rather than ‘power over’ thinking. We need to treat all people/beings with respect for their inherent equal worth & dignity rather than shaming others into a lower rung on the ladder.
The last 2 chapters explore ways of perpetuating power with thinking and undermining power over/oppressive thinking in our day to day lives. I’m particularly looking forward to rereading and internalizing those. In the mean time, this is the best laid out argument for the power and importance of true intersectionality being at the center of all justice/anti oppression work and how if we don’t fight that type of thinking, we end up transferring/perpetuating oppression rather than fighting. I haven’t seen another argument this compelling and well thought out that is truly intersectional in its examples and equitable in its understanding of the moral worth of all groups and causes.
Highly recommend!
She starts by talking about how her vegan friends often end up being accidentally racist or ableist in their arguments for veganism. And her social justice friends do not always see how fighting or at least acknowledging speciesism or climate change could add to their social justice fights. From her perspective these are all different sides of the same coin-fighting systems of oppression. And if we fight oppression using the same Powerarchy (hierarchy of moral worth, ie: this group is inherently/objectively more valuable than another group) that fuels oppression, we may transform the type of oppression, but we will never be rid of it.
She says the three proponents of oppression are cognitive distortions (biases, confirming what we think we know), myths/narratives (assumptions that oppressive systems are normal, necessary, and natural, and undermining counter systems like antiracism or feminism), and both Practical and psychological privilege (people with privilege take up space, their privilege is invisible to them, and they rarely give it up or even acknowledge it without resistance and defensiveness). All of these elements ensure systems of oppression are self perpetuating.
In order to actually get rid of oppression (abuse of power either individually or systemically), we need to use ‘power with’ thinking rather than ‘power over’ thinking. We need to treat all people/beings with respect for their inherent equal worth & dignity rather than shaming others into a lower rung on the ladder.
The last 2 chapters explore ways of perpetuating power with thinking and undermining power over/oppressive thinking in our day to day lives. I’m particularly looking forward to rereading and internalizing those. In the mean time, this is the best laid out argument for the power and importance of true intersectionality being at the center of all justice/anti oppression work and how if we don’t fight that type of thinking, we end up transferring/perpetuating oppression rather than fighting. I haven’t seen another argument this compelling and well thought out that is truly intersectional in its examples and equitable in its understanding of the moral worth of all groups and causes.
Highly recommend!
September 3, 2022
"There is not enough intelligence in women."
“Because humans are the most intelligent species, it is just to kill animals."
I heard a non-european person say the first line, and numerous Italians say the second.
Each sentence reflects an oppressive system: sexism and speciesism, respectively. Have we ever considered whether they have anything in common and, if so, what? As explained in the book "Powerarchy," all oppressive systems, not only the two cited above, share the same roots. They come from a single, overarching system that is called Powerarchy.
“Powerarchy is a non-relational system that is organized around the belief in a hierarchy of moral worth, and that is structured to maintain unjust power imbalances.” It is based on the oppressive mentality that some individuals or groups are more deserving of moral regard than others. Consequent behaviors violate integrity and harm dignity. We exercise our power over others because we believe we are better than them. We shame, judge, and disregard their boundaries. We also kill (or pay to kill) some of them.
The same phenomenon occurs in the interpersonal dimension in addition to the social sphere. For example, we can advocate for more just and compassionate policies - including those related to animal rights - but interact disrespectfully with people who hold different opinions from us, perpetuating the same oppressive behavior and reinforcing the same oppressive mentality that we are challenging on a collective level. And given how strongly ingrained non-relationality is in our culture, it may be hard to break free of these tendencies.
The good news is that we can change this mindset 🌸 To build a more just society (or liberation movement), we must first comprehend and address the core causes of oppressive mentality. Abolishing one oppression (or even all forms of social oppression) alone won't be enough; we need to change how we think and relate.
We can transform powerarchy by developing relational literacy skills and putting them into practice. How do we begin? For instance, by reading Melany Joy's key work “Powerarchy. Understanding the Psychology of Oppression for Social Transformation.”
“Because humans are the most intelligent species, it is just to kill animals."
I heard a non-european person say the first line, and numerous Italians say the second.
Each sentence reflects an oppressive system: sexism and speciesism, respectively. Have we ever considered whether they have anything in common and, if so, what? As explained in the book "Powerarchy," all oppressive systems, not only the two cited above, share the same roots. They come from a single, overarching system that is called Powerarchy.
“Powerarchy is a non-relational system that is organized around the belief in a hierarchy of moral worth, and that is structured to maintain unjust power imbalances.” It is based on the oppressive mentality that some individuals or groups are more deserving of moral regard than others. Consequent behaviors violate integrity and harm dignity. We exercise our power over others because we believe we are better than them. We shame, judge, and disregard their boundaries. We also kill (or pay to kill) some of them.
The same phenomenon occurs in the interpersonal dimension in addition to the social sphere. For example, we can advocate for more just and compassionate policies - including those related to animal rights - but interact disrespectfully with people who hold different opinions from us, perpetuating the same oppressive behavior and reinforcing the same oppressive mentality that we are challenging on a collective level. And given how strongly ingrained non-relationality is in our culture, it may be hard to break free of these tendencies.
The good news is that we can change this mindset 🌸 To build a more just society (or liberation movement), we must first comprehend and address the core causes of oppressive mentality. Abolishing one oppression (or even all forms of social oppression) alone won't be enough; we need to change how we think and relate.
We can transform powerarchy by developing relational literacy skills and putting them into practice. How do we begin? For instance, by reading Melany Joy's key work “Powerarchy. Understanding the Psychology of Oppression for Social Transformation.”
February 9, 2023
The topic and concept is important. However, the author's argument is fundamentally flawed. Perhaps trying to grasp a topic too big, especially when trying to expand to human/non-human privileges. At the end, the book basically calls for what groups the author sides with to be the new "powerarchy" without the author even realizing the point. Of course, in a perfect world there will be no "power over" dynamics, but the world can never be perfect, and humans again and again try to prove themselves better than their peers or other species, and that, I'm afraid is just natural human behavior, whether we like it or not.
February 24, 2020
This book is a must read for whoever wants to understand systems of oppression and work towards creating a more just and compassionate world. Melanie Joy analyzes and deconstructs the psychology behind how all systems of oppression work and are related to one another.
Melanie Joy is an incredible writer, she deconstructs really complex topics in language that is easy to understand and provides practical solutions to bring about change in the world. I am convinced that this book is going to change lives and the world in very positive ways!
Melanie Joy is an incredible writer, she deconstructs really complex topics in language that is easy to understand and provides practical solutions to bring about change in the world. I am convinced that this book is going to change lives and the world in very positive ways!
November 29, 2021
Powerarchy is definitely my favorite title so far by Melanie Joy. In the book, she explains how relational dysfunction is at the root of all forms of abuse and oppression – and she describes how recognizing the psychology of oppression and working to transform the processes that perpetuate oppression can enable advocates for all progressive social movements to work together productively for meaningful change. The more people who read this book, the closer we'll get to a more just, compassionate world.
June 22, 2020
This should be taught at schools.
May 23, 2024
It is men. Male actors. Collective male sexual depravity. Collective male violence. It is not powerarchy but patriarchy. This book obscures the actors and their actions.
April 12, 2021
Another fantastic book from Dr Joy. I love the way she writes in a clear, compassionate and serious voice. Powerarchy is a great book about power inbalances that seem "normal" and others that are simply invisible or hard to explain to outsiders.
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
July 11, 2024
Really crazy. Like I LOVED her other book. This is all way too out there, highly political, not objective, not scientific. Like, you did really well with the first book but the conclusions in this book are really… bad.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews