Hierarchical Organization In Society

This title was first publiished in 2000: A hierarchy is an organization system that is structured in a treelike manner, with levels of status or authority stacked one above the other. The classical and best known example of a hierarchy is probably the typical diagram that describes the structure of a company or business, also known as the corporate ladder. This text argues that hierarchies are one of the most important concepts we have in order to understand the world around us, and looks at hierarchies in a wide variety of areas of interest to everybody, such as companies, educational systems, transport systems, retail stores, corporations, communities, population migrations, medical systems, and many other real-world phenomena. From a Canadian perspective, the text examines these hierarchies and their effects at a variety of scales. It discusses how to understand the system around us and the ones in which we are immersed every day. The central theme is that it is possible to get a better grip on the past, present and future of the world, if it is viewed through an understanding of hierarchies.

"This title was first publiished in 2000: A hierarchy is an organization system that is structured in a treelike manner, with levels of status or authority stacked one above the other. The classical and best known example of a hierarchy is probably the typical diagram that describes the structure of a company or business, also known as the corporate ladder. This text argues that hierarchies are one of the most important concepts we have in order to understand the world around us, and looks at hierarchies in a wide variety of areas of interest to everybody, such as companies, educational systems, transport systems, retail stores, corporations, communities, population migrations, medical systems, and many other real-world phenomena. From a Canadian perspective, the text examines these hierarchies and their effects at a variety of scales. It discusses how to understand the system around us and the ones in which we are immersed every day. The central theme is that it is possible to get a better grip on the past, present and future of the world, if it is viewed through an understanding of hierarchies."--Provided by publisher.

Most people take the conditions they work and live in as a given, believing it to be normal that societies are stratified and that organisations are hierarchical. Many even think that this is the way it should be - and are neither willing nor able to think that it could be otherwise. This book raises the awareness of hierarchy, its complexity and longevity. It focuses on a single but fundamental problem of social systems such as dyads, groups, organisations and whole societies: Why and how does hierarchical social order persist over time? In order to investigate the question, author Thomas Diefenbach develops a general theory of the persistence of hierarchical social order. This theory interrogates the problem of the persistence of hierarchical social order from very different angles, in multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary ways. Even more crucially, it traces the very causes of the phenomenon, the reasons and interests behind hierarchy as well as the various mechanisms which keep it going. This is the first time such a theory is attempted. With the help of the theory developed in this book, it is possible to interrogate systematically, comprehensively and in detail how mindsets and behaviours as well as societal and organisational structures enable the continuation of hierarchy

Hierarchy is a form of organisation of complex systems that rely on or produce a strong differentiation in capacity (power and size) between the parts of the system. It is frequently observed within the natural living world as well as in social institutions. According to the authors, hierarchy results from random processes, follows an intentional design, or is the result of the organisation which ensures an optimal circulation of energy for information. This book reviews ancient and modern representations and explanations of hierarchies, and compares their relevance in a variety of fields, such as language, societies, cities, and living species. It throws light on concepts and models such as scaling laws, fractals and self-organisation that are fundamental in the dynamics and morphology of complex systems. At a time when networks are celebrated for their efficiency, flexibility and better social acceptance, much can be learned about the persistent universality and adaptability of hierarchies, and from the analogies and differences between biological and social organisation and processes. This book addresses a wide audience of biologists and social scientists, as well as managers and executives in a variety of institutions.

On the basis of diverse ethnographic contexts in Oceania, Asia, and the Middle East, the author's challenge current conceptions of hierarchical formations and reassess former debates, both with regard to new theoretical issues and the new world situation of post-colonial and neocolonial agendas.

Most people take the conditions they work and live in as a given, believing it to be normal that societies are stratified and that organisations are hierarchical. Many even think that this is the way it should be - and are neither willing nor able to think that it could be otherwise. This book raises the awareness of hierarchy, its complexity and longevity. It focuses on a single but fundamental problem of social systems such as dyads, groups, organisations and whole societies: Why and how does hierarchical social order persist over time? In order to investigate the question, author Thomas Diefenbach develops a general theory of the persistence of hierarchical social order. This theory interrogates the problem of the persistence of hierarchical social order from very different angles, in multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary ways. Even more crucially, it traces the very causes of the phenomenon, the reasons and interests behind hierarchy as well as the various mechanisms which keep it going. This is the first time such a theory is attempted. With the help of the theory developed in this book, it is possible to interrogate systematically, comprehensively and in detail how mindsets and behaviours as well as societal and organisational structures enable the continuation of hierarchy

Economics has been basically a study of the interactions between organizations, with some organizations being so small we only have one person in them. The internal organization of the largest hierarchies has indeed been looked at, but a good reason for working less on these organizations is that the internal reactions are much harder to understand. It is sensible to solve the problems we can solve and put the others off until later. The author's basic purpose here is to look at these larger hierarchical organizations, and develop a scientific account of them. In Economic Hierarchies, Organization and the Structure of Production Gordon Tullock examines the internal functioning and organization of the corporation. In the author's personal tradition, the book relies on narrative analysis rather than mathematical complexity to convey insights into the functioning of the corporation.