Hierarchy-enhancing and hierarchy-attenuating legacies

Hierarchy-enhancing legacies are qualities or policies that strengthen or maintain existing social hierarchies, making inequalities more persistent. Conversely, hierarchy-attenuating legacies reduce or undermine these inequalities, promoting greater equality. For example, laws or cultural norms that favor elite groups reinforce hierarchies, while those promoting universal education or rights challenge and diminish social divisions. Essentially, these legacies shape how societies organize and value different social ranks, either reinforcing traditional power structures or working to create more equitable relationships.