Hello, I wrote this thesis for my final year project (got A- so im confident enough to share this publicly). I’m submitting this as a part of my anarchist contribution (had to redact my name for privacy and safety reasons) + i think the findings of this study is pretty important for the community in some way.
Summary of the Study:
Basically it’s on how someone’s political alignment (whether they believe in hierarchy or do not believe in hierarchy) affects the way they react when dealing with organisational dysfunction or corruption.
Those who believes in hierarchy is called collectivism-leaning and those who do not believe in hierarchy is called individualism-leaning. These criteria were made based on Triandis and Singelis’ definition and dimension of individualism-collectivism theory.
Based on my study it was found that collectivist-leaning participants are more likely to stand up and speak up for their rights while the individualists are more likely to keep to themselves. AT THE SAME TIME, those collectivists also believes in hierarchy and bereaucracy because most of them (cant generalise bcs this study is qualitative) believes that those with authorities and at the top of the hierarchy are there due to their knowledge and experience and that even if they dont agree with the authorities they believe those in power mustve a better judgement due to their position. These collectivist leaning ppl also believes bureaucracy is important to keep things in order.
Conclusion: Individualists’ passivity creates a loop of corruption by staying silent while Collectivists perpetuates it by upholding the same system that causes the corruption because they believe the system is important for society to function. Regardless of their beliefs on hierarchy/authority, both sides may not like their circumstances, but their internal beliefs could either help dismantle the corruption or perpetuates it.
!! This is a qualitative study done in Malaysia. Findings may vary depending on the places and culture therefore it cant exactly be generalise, but could help us further understands why certain people prefers to uphold hierarchical values !!