Lecture on Power Distance

Overview

The term power distance was first used in the 1960s by Dutch social psychologist Mark Bu.
Borrowed in the 1970s to describe differences between national societies.

Power distance is a dimension of societal culture.
It measures the extent to which less powerful members of institutions and organizations expect and accept power inequality.
Power distance is more about the acceptance by the people at the bottom rather than the people at the top.

Family: Children learn about power dynamics from their parents and older people.
Large Power Distance Societies:
- Inequality is seen as normal.
- Superiors are considered superior beings.
- Power precedes notions of good and evil.
- Respect is prioritized in child education.
- Preference for centralization in organizations.
- Subordinates expect to be told what to do.
Small Power Distance Societies:
- Inequality is viewed as wrong and should be reduced.
- Hierarchies are seen as a rule of the game.
- Power should be used legitimately.
- Independence is valued in child education.
- Preference for decentralization in organizations.
- Subordinates expect consultation regarding work.

No absolute standard; societies are measured relative to each other.
Power Distance Index (PDI): Ranges from 0 to 100.
- Scores near 0 indicate smaller power distance.
- Scores near 100 indicate larger power distance.
Example countries on the PDI scale:
- High PDI: Russia, Mexico, China, Arab countries, India.
- Low PDI: United States, Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Britain, Denmark.

High Power Distance Societies:
- More income inequality.
- Smaller middle class and larger lower class.
- Dictatorships or oligarchies more common.
- Political changes often involve violence or revolutions.
- Executives tend to be older.
- Innovations occur when supported by hierarchy.
Low Power Distance Societies:
- Less income inequality.
- Larger middle class.
- Power use legitimized through checks and balances (Trias Politica).
- Conflicts resolved peacefully; political evolution rather than revolution.
- Younger business executives.
- Frequent spontaneous innovations by individuals (Mavericks).

Power distance values are transmitted from parents to children and rarely change after childhood.
Research shows a slight shift towards smaller power distances over 30 years, but country positions remain consistent.
Historical roots contribute to the stability of power distance scores over time.

Power distance is a stable cultural dimension affecting various aspects of society.
Understanding power distance helps in analyzing societal structures and dynamics.