What is the theme in The Radicalism of the American Revolution by Gordon S. Wood?

Authority is a central theme in the book. In the English-speaking world prior to the 18th century, all authority rests in the divinely anointed monarch (the "single principle"), to whom every subject, noble or common, owes allegiance and to whom he dispenses privileges. Everyone in society is under someone's direct authority and owes him allegiance and receives in return privileges. There are multiple deep hierarchies of ecclesiastical and civil authorities. At the base of the pyramid, fathers have absolute authority over wives, children and extended households; including, servants and slaves.