This dimension focuses on how a society deals with levels of status or social power (and how much they perceive such status as good or bad (right or wrong, just or unjust, fair or unfair)

Basic areas of inequality:

• Physical / mental abilities and characterisics
• Social status and prestige
• Wealth
• Power
• Law, rights, rules

Traits of Power Distance

	high power distance	low power distance
Social norms	those in power have privileges	all have equal rights
	powerful people try to look as powerful as possible	powerful people try to look less powerful than they are
	inequality the norm; everyone has specific place	inequality should be minimized; no set hierarchy
	respect for authority	respect for individuality
political	military / autocratic / oligarchic government	government based on majority
	power struggle	power sharing
	little discussion / violence common	much discussion, little violence
work	tall organizational pyramids	short organizational pyramids
	wide salary range from top to bottom	narrow salary range from top to bottom
	subordinates expect to be told	subordinates expect to be consulted
school	students dependent on teachers	teachers treat students as equals
	parents side with teachers to maintain order	parents may side with students against teachers
	students treat teachers with respect – even out of class	students treat teachers as equals