Why are societies hierarchical?

Answer 1

To my knowledge, all societies are "hierarchical" in that they have a more or less strict pattern of leadership. This is necessary for both the short and long-term survival of the society itself. If their is no provision for the smooth transition of leadership within society, then there are wars, chaos, anarchy, and times of gross instability.

Answer 2

I think it is because people believe a hierarchy is necessary so there will be order. People are different one from the other. There will be some who see the benefits of being in charge of others. More pay, more power, more benefits to themselves within an hierarchy. Also, there are many who are lazy and don't want to be bothered with the day to day tasks of the operational imperatives necessary for order within a society. In my opinion, the detrimental effects of an hierarchy are the inclinations for the weaker elements of society to be passed over for the good of the privileged classes. When the normal outlook of the masses of people concerning the necessity of hierarchical societies are changed is when we will come up with a new system which more evenly distributes the resources and allows more personal freedom.

Answer 3

Logically, all members of a society cannot be equal, because some will be (1) stronger, (2) smarter, (3) richer, (4) more vigorous, etc,etc,etc. Even if they just fight amongst each other, some will win and some will lose and be killed. If they fight for possessions, which they will inevitably do, some will gain great advantages over others.
Therefore "all men are created equal" means something else altogether. Dont you think so? Can anyone understand what I am driving at?

Answer 4

testosterone. Order. Because we don't all fit on top of the hill.
Even among females, like hens, for example.
There really is such a thing as a pecking order.
If you take ten hens, in one cramped little area, there will always be an exact order of who gets to eat first, second, etc.
The first hen will ahve the most testosterone.
The second will have the second highest, and on down the line.
When there is a squawking squabble,
and the order changes, so that the fifth becomes fourth, then the levels of testosterone will change to reflect that.
I only know what is, and I only imagine that we need order as the reason for this evolutionary process.
I can't prove the reason, only surmise.

Answer 5

Because some people have grit & some people want to whine that those people get all the goodies (wealth, power, lace undies...).

BTW, I know enough about the Quakers to know that there aren't many of them...which tells you just how many people are willing to live like that. No offense to any online Quakers, of course. I'm just saying that even the people at the bottom & in b/t are more or less willing participants in the societal order. If they were not, we'd have a coup a week...like some South American countries.

Answer 6

primarilly to delegate different tasks to each member of the society. not everyone can be the president. someone has to sweep the floors.

the problem with hierarchies is not really it is not needed because it is. the problem is when there are limitations to opportunities for mobilization within the hierarchy thereby limiting one's opportunity to improve his situation in the society

Answer 7

If you put 3 people in a room, they would form a hierarchy. It's part of human nature. People divide duties and naturally some people are in charge.

Answer 8

You should ask the question "Do you know what Hierarchical means?" 99.1% of the answers would be "NO"!!

Answer 9

Hey, some body has to be greedy. not every one gets enjoyment from solving difficulties

Answer 10

Because somebody will have a bit more brains that the others.