Why Challenging Authority Feels Right in Some Places—and Wrong in Others
A cultural analysis of power, authority, and public expectations.
If you have read the daily briefings this week, you know we’ve been discussing how Power Distance is behind many headlines. It helps explain why some people view authority as sacred while others consider questioning leaders a civic duty. It’s a concept that helps explain why some societies gravitate to authority, and others reject authoritarianism.
Power Distance
Coined by Dutch sociologist Geert Hofstede, Power Distance refers to how much people accept and expect unequal power. In high Power Distance cultures, hierarchy is not just tolerated, it’s respected and morally reinforced. Leaders are not to be challenged. Status matters. Obedience is a virtue.
In contrast, low Power Distance cultures value equality. Authority should be questioned; leaders are expected to earn respect, not demand it. In these societies, disagreement is part of a healthy democracy.
The Link Between Culture and Government
There’s a strong correlation between high Power Distance and authoritarian political systems. High cultural tolerance for hierarchy in countries like Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia makes centralized rule seem natural and desirable. Citizens raised in such cultures often equate dissent with disloyalty.
Meanwhile, countries like Denmark, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, known for their low Power Distance, support open, participatory democracies. Their citizens are taught that power should be distributed and that questioning authority is part of being a responsible adult.
It’s Not Cause And Effect
High Power Distance doesn’t automatically cause authoritarianism, and low Power Distance doesn't guarantee democracy. India, for example, has high Power Distance but remains a democratic state. What matters is how cultural expectations interact with political institutions. If people believe leaders must be obeyed without question, authoritarianism becomes easier to justify, even within democratic frameworks.
It All Depends on Your Cultural Perspective
In the West, challenging authority is seen as a right and principled. But it’s seen as reckless, unpatriotic, or immoral in many other parts of the world. That’s not ignorance, it’s culture. Understanding Power Distance doesn’t just explain how governments work; it explains how people expect them to work, and that changes everything.