How Does A Society Handle Inequality?
#5 Power Distance can be Subtle but Key.
More Geert Hofstede today.
As I previously said, Hofstede talks about six dimensions of power. However, we are only going to cover three in this series as I found these the most pertinent to the issue of racism.
I find his research on another pillar of culture fascinating - Power Distance.
The Power Distance dimension expresses the degree to which the less powerful members of a society (organizations and institutions and the family) accept and expect unequal power distribution. 1
The fundamental issue here is how a society handles inequalities among people.
People in societies exhibiting a large degree of Power Distance accept a hierarchical order in which everybody has a place, and which needs no further justification. In societies with low Power Distance, people strive to equalize the distribution of power and demand justification for inequalities of power.
Again, for reference, Nigeria has a score of 80 against the US score of 40. Big difference. To help you understand this better, (it is kinda raunchy), I always tell folks that it is unthinkable for the wife of a "big man," (meaning wealthy, a man of substance and means, a CEO, a chief, etc.) to sleep with the pool boy. The class difference is too much. But here in the US, we hear lots of stories, in romance novels, and movies alike of this power distance becoming negligible and "sleeping with the pool boy" is not unheard of. "The Graduate" where a 21-year-old boy is seduced by his father's law partner's wife is a good example. Not quite the pool boy, but you catch my drift.
My Yoruba tribe has monarchies and in places where there are monarchies, you tend to have a high-power distance because all of the power is centralized in the monarchy. However, it is interesting to note, that the UK, where the monarchy holds little political power, their score on this dimension is 35.
In a low-power distance society, more like the US:
Hierarchy means inequality of roles, established for convenience. Therefore, Roles can be changed easily. Today, you as an individual have little power, and tomorrow you have a lot.
Parents treat the kids as equals and a child's independence is valued.
The elderly do not hold a special status.
Subordinates expect to be consulted.
Governments are pluralist, based on a majority vote and there are peaceful transitions.
Income distribution in society rather even.
Ideologically, inequality is somehow wrong, and it should be reduced. The rules apply the same to everyone.
Government is decentralized.
In politics, most conflicts are resolved peacefully.
Business executives tends to be younger.
There is a smaller middle class and a larger lower class.
The use of power should be legitimate and subject to the criteria of good and evil.
Spontaneous innovations and original ideas are the norm.
Education is student centered.
Religions stress equality of believers.
More income inequality.
In a high-power distance society, more like Nigeria:
Hierarchy is inbuilt into the culture and people accept it passively and it means existential inequality.
Parents teach children obedience and respect.
Older people are both respected and feared.
Subordinates expect to be told what to do.
Autocratic governments based on co-optation and changed by revolution.
Income distribution in society very uneven.
Inequality in a society is considered a normal part of society. That is the way the world is made.
Government is more centralized with more power.
In politics, high chance of violence as often there is fighting in local politics.
Business executives tend to be older.
Most people are middle class.
The use of power lies in the dictator or the oligarch - there are a limited number of people from whom the power comes only. This also means that power is a basic fact of society, antedating good or evil: its legitimacy is irrelevant.
Social innovations or technological innovations come about only when they are supported by the hierarchy.
Education is teacher centered.
Religions have a hierarchy of priests.
Less income inequality.
Malaysia has a score of over 100, followed by Guatemala and Panama at 95, the Philippines at 94. On the low-power distance dimension, we have Austria at 11, Israel at 13, and Denmark at 18.
The United States, with a score of 40 does not have a very low score on this dimension. It is more middle of the road. This means that there is supposed to be greater equality between societal levels, including government, organizations, and even within families. Yet, we do have some hierarchies in place that we choose to observe. I believe race is one key hierarchy in the American system, a system that is run by mostly white men.
Understanding Hierarchy: Class
I find that Americans are reluctant to discuss the subject of "class." However, in Nigeria, we discuss it very openly. For instance, many homes have support staff. They are the gardener, driver, or steward, etc. We used to refer to male stewards as the "house-boy," or females as the "house girl," very derogatory terms. But we expect that type of house support system for very middle-class folks. These days, things are changing. My father, as a businessman, and professor, was expected to share his “largess” by having that staff. There is an economic sharing aspect to this level of power distance. However, the salary differential was HUGE as we do not have minimum wage. Today, a university professor cannot afford that type of support at home as our economy has some massive issues right now.
We talk about the US as one culture, but we know it is not. Southerners are totally different from Northerners and West coast folks are very different to us in the South, while Middle America has its own distinct flavor. Within each of these geographic zones are ethnic and racial groups which have their own distinctive culture. In the African American culture, being descended from Africans, there is probably a higher power distance within this cultural group. For instance, we respect our elders and exhibit variations in the descriptions of high-power culture. Yet, we flow in and out of a low power dimension culture, our larger society.
It gets complicated when we look at subgroups within the US. African Americans generally have a more collective approach to culture. There are many things that were handed down from the enslaved ancestors that are still reflected in this community for the most part. African Americans may not experience collectivism as much as we do in Nigeria, but there is a sense of collectivism as well as a higher power-distance.
Prompts
With this language of power distance, what role does it play in your life and how does it impact you? Think of your church, where you work and even your local municipality. Is it a "flat" organization where everyone has power? Or is it a very hierarchical organization? How do you feel about hierarchies? How is your throat as you read that word? Your stomach? Where in your body do you respond to a high-power or low-power occurrences? Develop an awareness for low and high power dimensions in your interactions.
Thank you! Please share and comment.
https://geerthofstede.com/culture-geert-hofstede-gert-jan-hofstede/6d-model-of-national-culture/