KATHERINE~~chapter 3 response~

By pointing out the prevalence of inequality within societies, Chapter 3 discusses the differences of these inequalities in different countries. The author measures the variations with the so-called “power distance index” (p.55), which is about how people with less power evaluate their relationships with people who possess more power. Comparing different scenarios in family, school, workplace, state policies as well as the broader ideas, the author draws the conclusion that Western countries like US have a small power distance while states at the east side for example China tend to have a large power distance. This chapter also analyses the reasons and future development of power distances.

What I found interesting is that regardless of different perspectives of power distance, such as in school, family and workplace, large power distance usually pays more attention on order, hierarchy and certain rules. However, small power distances focuses on the equality and independent of the members. As an exchange student from China, a large power distance country and now studying in US, a small power distance country, I had a better understanding of the differences between American and Chinese students’ actions in class. Chinese students tend to be quiet while Americans are active in class. It seems that students from US have endless questions and are always ready to challenge their professors. It is even more surprising that professors won’t get mad when they are interrupted by students questions during lectures, which can never be true in China.

This sharp difference has something to do with power distances. Following certain social rules, Chinese students are used to obeying the teachers and showing respect to them. Challenging their instructors and asking questions when the teacher is talking are regarded as rude. While for US students, they are treated as equal with their instructors so that they are able to debate with them.