Which cultural dimension describes acceptance of unequal power distribution in a society?

• A. Uncertainty avoidance
• B. Power distance
• C. Indulgence vs restraint
• D. Masculinity vs femininity

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how a culture perceives and accepts hierarchy and authority. In Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, power distance describes the extent to which people in a society are comfortable with unequal power distribution and expect leaders to have authority. In cultures with high power distance, hierarchical structures are accepted and subordinates often show deference to those in power; in cultures with low power distance, equality is valued and people expect more participative decision-making and questioning of authority.

The other dimensions don’t describe this dynamic. Uncertainty avoidance is about tolerance for ambiguity and risk; indulgence versus restraint looks at the degree of gratification versus self-control in a society; and masculinity versus femininity concerns the distribution of roles, values like competitiveness or nurturing, and gender norms.