Final answer:
Paternalism is an approach where authority figures restrict freedoms under the guise of protective interest, notably seen as a justification for slavery in the American South. Maternalism is a similar concept expressing protective guidance but often associated with women's nurturing roles, which led to 'maternal feminism' as a form of social activism. Both concepts historically reflect systems of inequality where rulers possessed absolute control over their subjects, as in the ancient Egyptian patrimonial system.
Step-by-step explanation:
“What is Paternalism/Maternalism?” This question pertains to the concepts of paternalism and maternalism, which are forms of social or political policy resembling the relationship between a parent and child. Paternalism is a practice or approach where individuals in positions of authority restrict the freedoms and responsibilities of those beneath them as if they were children, purportedly looking out for their best interests, even against their will. This was particularly evident in the justification of slavery by Southern whites, claiming that they acted in the best interests of slaves through care and discipline, a gross misrepresentation of the brutal reality of slavery. Maternalism, on the other hand, suggests a similar protective and nurturing guidance expressed by females in society, especially toward children, which was sometimes extended to social activism where women take out the qualities they are thought to possess in the familial setting into the wider world. An example from history is the notion of ‘maternal feminism,’ where women extended their influence by applying their nurturing qualities to wider societal roles.
In historical contexts, paternalism was often used to justify systems of inequality and domination, such as slavery or colonialism, while purporting to be a benign and protective system. When discussing ancient systems like patrimonialism, for example, as seen in the political organization of ancient Egypt, the ruler had absolute authority over their subjects, dictating demanding tasks like the building of pyramids without regard for individual rights or freedoms.