• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Riane Eisler

Riane Eisler

Official website of futurist, social-systems scientist, and cultural historian Riane Eisler

  • About
  • Bookshelf
  • Impact
  • Articles & Papers
  • Teaching
  • Speaking
  • Press
  • Contact
  • About
  • Bookshelf
  • Impact
  • Articles & Papers
  • Teaching
  • Speaking
  • Press
  • Contact

About

Riane Eisler is a social systems scientist, cultural historian, futurist, and attorney whose research, writing, and speaking has transformed the lives of people worldwide. Her newest work, Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future, co-authored with anthropologist Douglas Fry, shows how to construct a more equitable, sustainable, and less violent world based on Partnership rather than Domination.

Dr. Eisler is president of the Center for Partnership Systems (CPS), dedicated to research and education, Editor-in-Chief of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies, an online peer-reviewed journal at the University of Minnesota that was inspired by her work, keynotes conferences nationally and internationally, has addressed the United Nations General Assembly, the U.S. Department of State, and Congressional briefings, has spoken at corporations and universities worldwide on applications of the partnership model introduced in her work, and is Distinguished Professor at Meridian University, which offers PhDs and Master’s degrees based on Eisler’s Partnership-Domination social scale.

She is internationally known for her bestseller The Chalice and The Blade: Our History, Our Future, now in 27 foreign editions and 57 U.S. printings. Her book on economics, The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics, was hailed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu as “a template for the better world we have been so urgently seeking” and by Jane Goodall as “a call to action.” Her Transforming Interprofessional Partnerships, co-authored with Teddie Potter, won national and international awards, and her Equal Rights Handbook was the only mass paperback on the Equal Rights Amendment.Other books drawing from Eisler’s research include her award-winning Tomorrow’s Children, Sacred Pleasure, and Women, Men, and the Global Quality of Life, statistically documenting the key role of women’s status in a nation’s quality of life. Her work has inspired the development of new metrics demonstrating the economic value of caring for people, starting in early childhood, and of caring for nature, which are now being updated into a Social Wealth Index by a team of economists.

She has written over 500 articles in publications ranging from Behavioral Science, Futures, Political Psychology, The Christian Science Monitor, Challenge, and UNESCO Courier to Brain and Mind, Human Rights Quarterly, International Journal of Women’s Studies, Quartz, Ms.Magazine, and World Encyclopedia of Peace, as well as chapters for books published by trade and university presses (e.g., Cambridge, Stanford, and Oxford University).

Dr. Eisler continues to be interviewed and featured in U.S. and international media, including Forbes Magazine, El País, and innumerable podcasts. She currently also teaches online through the Center for Partnership Systems, the Omega Institute, Meridian University, and other organizations.  

Dr. Eisler pioneered the expansion of human rights theory and action to include the majority of humanity: women and children. Her research provides a new perspective on our past, present, and possibilities for the future, including a new social and political agenda for building a more humane and environmentally sustainable world.

She is the only woman among 20 major thinkers including Hegel, Adam Smith, Marx, and Toynbee in Macrohistory and Macrohistorians in recognition of the lasting importance of her work as a cultural historian and evolutionary theorist. She has received many honors, including honorary PhDs, the Nuclear Age Peace Leadership Award, the Feminist Pioneer award, and inclusion in the award-winning book Great Peacemakers as one of twenty leaders for world peace, along with Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King.

Riane Eisler signing copies of The Chalice and The Blade.

“Scholars, scientists, and other international luminaries have been inspired by Riane Eisler’s groundbreaking findings. . . Through her research, writing, teaching, commentary, and her Center for Partnership Studies, she has been an ‘entrepreneur of the spirit’ devoted to expanding our vision of human purpose.”

~ Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams

“Riane Eisler’s The Real Wealth of Nations gives us a template for the better world that we have been so urgently seeking. As practical as it is hopeful, this brilliant book shows how we can build economic systems that meet both our material and spiritual needs.”
~ Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu

“You have given me fresh impetus both personally and in my political work, and at a time of widespread public disenchantment and deepening economic crisis, you give cause for new hope.”
~ Rita Suessmuth, Former President, Deutscher Bundestag (German Parliament)

“Riane Eisler’s The Real Wealth of nations is an essential tool for government leaders, politicians, economists, and everyone looking for ways to halt environmental destruction, eradicate poverty, stabilize population, and build a better future.”
~ Vigdis Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland 1980-1996

“Riane Eisler’s The Chalice and the Blade is the most important book since Darwin’s Origin of the Species.”
~ Ashley Montagu, Princeton anthropologist

“When you gave that inspirational keynote address to our deans, vice presidents, and senior faculty, your talk sent more reverberations through our community than any speaker we’d ever had. You spoke from the heart, but also with such a depth and breadth of research data and sophisticated analysis at your finger tips, gently prodding us all to do better and better.”
~ Edward M. Hundert, M.D., President, Case Western Reserve University, 2002-2006

“Riane Eisler spoke to the hearts and the heads of the top women at Microsoft. She was compelling not only in her compassion and humanity but even more so with her strong logic and sense of urgency. She is a wonderful, inspiring speaker!”
~ Alex Loeb, Former Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Corporation

“Thank you so much for participating in our 2012 Summit of Sages at the University of Minnesota, and providing such an inspiring ending keynote. You really galvanized the room and people are ready to carry the message of partnership forward.”

~ Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN, Clinical Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing

“A year ago, in San Jose, when you keynoted the International Coaching Federation Conference you changed my life. Thank you ever so much, you made a profound change for me. Two things brought this about. Your storyteller technique is warm, personal, poignant and far reaching. I later decided to go into storytelling and I am still working at that, in your style. Your powerful message about the ideas and visions about the future for a partnership modeled world met my own thoughts about our presence in our world today.”
~ Dennis Jorst, President, ICF Nordic

“A year ago, in San Jose, when you keynoted the International Coaching Federation Conference you changed my life. Thank you ever so much, you made a profound change for me. Two things brought this about. Your storyteller technique is warm, personal, poignant and far reaching. I later decided to go into storytelling and I am still working at that, in your style. Your powerful message about the ideas and visions about the future for a partnership modeled world met my own thoughts about our presence in our world today.”
~ Dennis Jorst, President, ICF Nordic

“Wow! What a day! What a conference! And what a speech! Of the many, many people we’ve spoken to, they all consider your words among the most amazing and inspirational. We simply can’t thank you enough. We’re so grateful that you could share your unique knowledge with us.”
~ Bonnie Reiss, Executive Director, Earth Communications Office (ECO)

“I’m writing on behalf of all the participants in our Executives Leading Sustainable Change program to thank you for your inspiring and provocative presentation…Your vast knowledge of the history of humanity coupled with a deep conviction and guidance on what is needed in today’s corporations to bring about real social change left a deep impact on all of us. You provided us with a new context for thinking about how one person can make a difference and together we can change the world.”
~ Rayona Sharpnack, President, Institute for Women’s Leadership

Thank you once again for the wonderful presentation that you made at our Symposium series …You had a very diverse audience and you somehow managed to say something which was meaningful to just about everyone. I especially appreciated your informal but well organized approach to a very difficult and complex topic.”
~ Professor Alexander W. Astin, Director, Higher Education Research Institute, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Los Angeles

“I greatly enjoyed your magnificent presentation at the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association… The need for mutual understanding among different faith traditions is particularly great in these times when religious intolerance is blossoming.”
~ Reverend Rudi Gelsey

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your contributions to Stentor’s Discovery Project. Through your work with us we were able to apply a significant number of learnings related to creativity, processes for innovation, new business opportunities, and corporate transformation.Your systems view of the world and Partnership Model were particularly helpful in establishing processes for innovation. Your willingness to take on and help with this challenging project, your determination to succeed, and creative contributions have all been exceptional Thank you again for your outstanding efforts on the Discovery Project.”
~ Wendy Weisner, Manager New Business Opportunities, Stentor Resources Centre Incorporated Ottawa, Ontario

“Thank you so much for the powerful Opening Keynote Address you presented at The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) Global Partnership Forum in the Rotunda room of the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC…You captured the audience instantly with your expressive style, sincerity, and warmth. I felt privileged to be in attendance.”
~ Laddie W. Hughes, TIAW Board Member

“Your work is truly inspiring. Our students are still discussing your ideas and applying them to their coursework. You are a truly remarkable person — filled with kindness and compassion. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.”
~ Jenny Pinter, Bainbridge Graduate Institute

“Your work and your example have brought hope and courage into my life, as in so many others. Deeply heartfelt thanks.”
~ Eva Moberg, Sweden

“I am so grateful for all the important work you are doing to change the world. Thank you for your intellect, your optimism in the face of darkness, and your untiring efforts on behalf of social justice.”
~ Judith Jordan, Co–director, Jean Baker Miller Training Center

“You are truly one of the world-changers among us, and we are all richer in so many ways for your presence on this planet.”
~ Thom Hartmann, political commentator and author of The Crash of 2016

“On behalf of the Network of Spiritual Progressives and the thousands of people who have joined our community I want to thank you for your wisdom, your leadership and your vision. We intend to honor you by taking that vision and making it central to our political movement of spiritual progressives.”
~ Rabbi Michael Lerner, Editor, Tikkun Magazine

“What a heroine you have been and continue to be for so many, especially for me! Knowing you and your extraordinary work continues to be a constant source of inspiration for me. I so honor the grace, dignity, beauty, clarity and integrity that you consistently embody in all that you do and are. Thank you for enriching my life!”
~ Angeles Arrien, President, Angeles Arrien Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research

“What a heroine you have been and continue to be for so many, especially for me! Knowing you and your extraordinary work continues to be a constant source of inspiration for me. I so honor the grace, dignity, beauty, clarity and integrity that you consistently embody in all that you do and are. Thank you for enriching my life!”
~ Angeles Arrien, President, Angeles Arrien Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research

“Your work has inspired new meaning to my work. My life is truly transformed by my study of, and commitment to, creating a partnership culture.”
~ Ruth Kantor Lopez, MA Partnership Education, Goddard College

“Your books are so good and relevant, that I’ve now even cited one in my investments textbook!”
~ Dr. Austin Murphy Professor of Finance, Oakland University, SBA, Rochester, MI

“Riane – I just wanted to let you know that I assigned your book The Real Wealth of Nations to my undergrad management students and a few of them actually told me afterwards that they found it ‘life changing’. Thank you for saying so eloquently what I think the next generation of leaders needs to hear.”
~ Nurete Brenner, Adjunct Professor, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya

“I have been inspired by your work for years and every September talk to social work students about the partnership vs dominator model, reciting the story of how you came to this perspective. It seems to me that I referenced this model in my teaching demo which resulted in work with the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.”
~ Yvonne Haist

“I can’t remember where I found out about The Chalice and the Blade, but I’ll never forget reading it. It was as if a light came on in a dark attic, and I became aware of important questions…”Why is this considered more important that that? Where would we be without…?”Reading the book became the first step in a complete re-evaluation of everything in my life!”
~ Sarah Judson

“You opened my eyes in 1986 and turned my world inside out, and it has not been the same since. Your support with the Russians, with my own book, and continued work in the world to transform our thinking has been an inspiration. Keep everlastingly at it!”
~ Craig Barnes

“Your work has inspired new meaning to my work. My life is truly transformed by my study of, and commitment to, creating a partnership culture.”
~ Ruth Kantor Lopez, MA Partnership Education

Watch a short documentary on Riane Eisler here:

Riane Eisler’s Curriculum Vitae

8_2021-CURRICULUM-VITAE-RIANE-EISLER-.docx.pdf
Download Riane’s CV here

Riane Eisler

Copyright © 2025 - All rights reserved. • Created by Ketchup + Rare Dimension.