Hierarchies as Forms of Interaction

From Status Differences to Coordination
Erscheinungsjahr 2027
ISBN: 978-3-032-43613-9
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, 99 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

Reihe: SpringerBriefs in Economics

This book offers a fresh and interdisciplinary exploration of hierarchy as a core form of human interaction. Hierarchy is widely regarded as a problem—associated with inequality, the abuse of power, and rigid organizational structures. Yet, despite persistent criticism, hierarchical systems remain fundamental to the functioning of modern societies. Why is this so?
Moving beyond conventional critiques, it presents hierarchy not as inherently inferior to markets or cooperation, but as an essential organizational tool whose value depends on context. No single mode of interaction—hierarchy, markets, or cooperation—consistently outperforms the others.
Drawing on insights from business, political science, sociology, psychology, religion, and biology, the author examines how hierarchical structures emerge and how they shape not only firms and states, but also our thinking and everyday social relations. The analysis disentangles the two components of hierarchies. One is status differences between individuals, and the other is the transaction cost-saving coordinative function of a hierarchical organization.
Through a rich set of theoretical perspectives and empirical illustrations, the book shows that the status component has negative impacts for society, whereas its coordinative function is key for functioning organizations and societies. It is therefore shown when and how hierarchies can be designed to enable coordination without reinforcing harmful status distinctions.
By re-evaluating one of the most contested concepts in social science, this book provides a nuanced framework for thinking about power, inequality, and institutional design. It will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in economics, political science, management, but also broader social sciences and biology.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mann, Stefan

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Politische Führung
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Volkswirtschaftslehre Allgemein Wirtschaftstheorie, Wirtschaftsphilosophie
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Management Strategisches Management
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Organisationstheorie, Organisationssoziologie, Organisationspsychologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Zentralregierung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Hierarchy as a form of interaction.- In defence of hierarchies.- Hierarchies in business.- Hierarchies in the state.- Hierarchies in civic society.- Hierarchies in language and psychology.- Hierarchies in religion.- Hierarchies in zoology.- Towards an anthropology of hierarchy.- Internalizing status differences.

Über Autor(innen)

Stefan Mann studied agriculture and pursued a Ph.D. in agriculture and another in economics, an education that prepared him for interdisciplinary research. He works for the Swiss Federal Research Station Agroscope and for the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bucharest. In addition, he is the current clerk of German Quakers. His interest is in the findings of institutional economics and in the foundations of socioeconomics. His studies of the administrative organization of agricultural authorities in different countries but also factors from his private life such as family organization and his religion's emphasis on equality all fueled his interest in the very nature of hierarchy.