Israeli author and historian Yuval Noah Harari is renowned for his ability to relate historical trends to current events. He examines how people have perceived authority throughout history in one of his books. His viewpoint contradicts the conventional wisdom that held that divine entities bestowed authority and leadership.

For ages, people thought that the ultimate authority over human affairs belonged to gods or other supernatural beings. The notion that they were selected to rule by higher powers was reinforced by the frequent claims made by kings, emperors, and other leaders that their power came straight from the sky. For centuries, this idea influenced social norms and political structures in a wide range of cultures and civilizations.

But things started to change in the 17th century when modernity arrived. New concepts regarding human potential and logical reasoning were introduced during the Enlightenment. Philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke began challenging established hierarchies and promoting individual liberties and rights. The philosophical movement known as humanism, which prioritizes people over divine entities, emerged during this time period.

People started to believe that they could make decisions about their lives without depending on god-appointed officials or supernatural explanations as societies transitioned to more secular governance structures. The notion that people could rule themselves and establish just societies by using reason and group effort gained traction.

As a metaphor, consider how people used to be like kids gazing up at their parents, who dominated every part of life. Eventually, those kids grew up to be adults who could make their own choices and run their own affairs. When Harari discusses the transfer of power from gods to humans, he is referring to this change.

This change in viewpoint had a significant impact on how societies are currently structured. It promoted the rise of scientific research over religious dogma as a way to comprehend the world around us and resulted in the creation of democratic systems where citizens elect leaders rather than having them appointed by divine right.

Essentially, Harari's observation captures a profound shift in culture that has altered our perception of governance and leadership. This shift changed how we view ourselves in regard to authority and power, in addition to changing political environments.