Implications of Hierarchical Complexity for Social Stratification, Economics, and Education

Abstract

The institutionalization of systems of informed consent in market economies has exaggerated rather than minimized the meritocractic effect of such economies. In developing economies, it may help reduce both inherent economic gaps and effects of inherited wealth. In both cases, the highest paid people are those whose performances evidence the highest hierarchical complexity, and lowest paid people have the lowest stages of performance. Society is stratified according to stage of performance. Postformal thought is more likely to develop in graduate level education. Higher education has the effect of further stratifying individuals by stage of performance, rather than equalizing opportunity.

KEYWORDS:

• Economy
• education
• hierarchical complexity
• informed consent
• social stratification