Melissa Lazarte, Power Distance Index

Hofstede's definition of Power Distance Index measures "the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions accept and expect that power is distributed unequally". It concludes that the level of inequality is in fact endorsed by the followers as much as the leaders themselves. Power Distance is seen in many societies and cultures in the world, for example, Germany and United States. Germany has a 35 on the cultural scale from Hofstede's analysis, while the United States has a 40. Germany does not have a great amount of distance between the wealthy and the poor, they have a strong belief in the equality for all. In Germany, citizens have the opportunity to be able to be able to rise in the social scale. Unlike the United States who has an unequal distribution of wealth. As years pass by, the difference and distance between the ones who have and the ones who don't have, grows. Having a low power distance and high power distance has a great affect on the outcomes of a society. If a society has a high level of power distance, then everyone would have a specific place, the ones in power would have privileges. In school for example, parents would side with teachers to maintain order and the teachers would be treated with respect even when not in school. If a society though, has low power distance, everyone would have equal rights and no hierarchy would be set. Parents would side with students against teachers and they both would be seen as equals and respect wouldn't be known. Power Distance has it's advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the level applied in their country or society.