Power Distance in Societal Culture

Introduction

• Term Origin: Coined in the 1960s by Dutch sociopsychologist Mark Bulder.
• Adoption: Borrowed by the speaker in the 1970s to describe differences among national societies.
• Definition: Extent to which less powerful members of institutions expect and accept unequal power distribution.
  • Power distance is determined by people at the bottom, not the top.

Characteristics of Power Distance

Large Power Distance

• Inequality: Seen as a normal part of society.
• Superiors: Considered superior beings.
• Morality: Power determines what is good and evil.
• Law: Power is primary; rules follow.
• Education: Respect is a key value taught to children.
• Organization: Centralization is preferred.
• Subordinate Relationship: Subordinates expect to be told what to do.

Small Power Distance

• Inequality: Viewed as wrong; should be reduced.
• Superiors: Hierarchies exist but do not define personal superiority.
• Morality: Power must be used legitimately.
• Law: Everyone is subject to the same rules of law.
• Education: Independence is a key value taught to children.
• Organization: Decentralization is preferred.
• Subordinate Relationship: Subordinates expect to be consulted.

Measuring Power Distance

• Power Distance Index (PDI): Measures relative power distances between societies on a scale from 0 to 100.
  • High PDI Scores: Closer to 100, indicating larger power distance (e.g., Russia, Mexico).
  • Low PDI Scores: Closer to 0, indicating smaller power distance (e.g., Denmark, USA).
• Purpose: Allows for comparison of societal inequality.

Implications of Power Distance Index

High Power Distance

• Income Inequality: Greater income inequality.
• Social Classes: Smaller middle class; larger lower class.
• Governance: Dictatorships or oligarchies are common.
• Politics: Higher likelihood of violence; revolutions needed for change.
• Executive Age: Older business executives.
• Innovation: Supported by hierarchy; fewer spontaneous innovations.

Low Power Distance

• Income Inequality: Less income inequality.
• Social Classes: Larger middle class.
• Governance: Legitimate use of power; separation of powers.
• Politics: Peaceful conflict resolution; political evolution.
• Executive Age: Younger business executives.
• Innovation: Frequent spontaneous innovations; driven by mavericks or rebels.

Stability of Power Distance Scores

• Transfer: Values transferred from parents to children; rarely change after childhood.
• Research Findings: Small shift towards smaller power distances over generations, but relative positions of countries remain stable.
• Historical Rooting: Differences often traceable to historical contexts; scores are stable over time.