What is the real definition of "Patriarchy"?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarchy

Excerpt:

'Patriarchy literally means "the rule of the father" and comes from the Greek patriarkhēs), "father of a race" or "chief of a race, patriarch", which is a compound of πατριά (patria), "lineage, descent" (from πατήρ patēr, "father") and ἄρχω (arkhō), "I rule".

Historically, the term patriarchy was used to refer to autocratic rule by the male head of a family. However, in modern times, it more generally refers to social systems in which power is primarily held by adult men.
...
Feminist theory

Feminist theory defines patriarchy as an unjust social system that is oppressive to women. In feminist theory the concept of patriarchy is fluid and loosely defined. It often includes all the social mechanisms that reproduce and exert male dominance over women. Feminist theory typically characterizes patriarchy as a social construction, which can be overcome by revealing and critically analyzing its manifestations.

Prior to the widespread use of "patriarchy", feminists used the terms "male chauvinism" and "sexism" to refer roughly to the same phenomenon. Author bell hooks argues that the new term identifies the ideological system itself (that men are inherently dominant or superior to women) that can be believed and acted upon by either men or women, whereas the earlier terms imply only men act as oppressors of women.'

There really is a group called The Patriarchy! And they have their own Twitter account too, called Patriarchy Central:

https://twitter.com/PatriarchyCtrl

This is the place for men around the world to get their edicts and receive the benefits of the authoritarian yet benevolent group known as "The Patriarchy". Why, they even recently had a potluck meeting with The Illuminati at the Patriarchs' Temple in which both groups agreed to collaborate more (plus The Illuminati makes a great chicken casserole!).

Don't miss out on the fun and privileges of following the madcap antics of "The Patriarchy" at their Patriarchy Central Twitter feed! For a good chuckle, try scrolling down through the Tweets history.

Actually, radical feminism seems more like a kind of Tourette's Syndrome, where they blurt out words like "patriarchy", "sexist" and "misogynist" at random.

I never get my invitation to the meetings. Every time the local branch has one of its secret meeting, to which women are not invited, my invitation seems to get lost. I've tried to solve the problem, but the meetings are held in secret locations, so I have no idea who to contact.

Damn patriarchy. Just can't seem to get this right.

We've got a lot of problems to solve and the patriarchy needs to get to work. Unless feminism itself is some secret patriarchal plot for oppressing women, the patriarchs are falling down on the job.

My colleague over at The Patriarchy is concerned about your post. While the meetings are for The Patriarchy only, we now accept feedback through our Twitter feed as part of our outreach program for men. It seems that other men have mentioned that they aren't getting the benefits that they're supposed to from us. We'll have to discuss this at the next Patriarchs' Conference.

I just figured I was on double secret probation for being nice to a woman once.

I'll check out The Patriarchy and see if I'm off probation yet. I hate to miss those meetings!

:)