Hierarchy creates the separation that promotes contempt, which is the breeding ground of cruelty.
From an Interpersonal Neurobiology perspective, hierarchy disrupts the natural processes of connection, safety, and co-regulation that support human well-being. In relationships or systems where hierarchy dominates, power is concentrated at the top, creating imbalances in how individuals feel seen, heard, and valued. This imbalance undermines the basic need for mutual respect and safety, both of which are essential for healthy nervous system regulation.
When one person or group exerts control over another, it often triggers feelings of threat or insecurity in those with less power. This is because human nervous systems are deeply attuned to relational dynamics and react to power imbalances as potential sources of danger. The result can be heightened states of hypervigilance, stress, or withdrawal, making it harder for people to feel safe, connect authentically, and collaborate effectively.
In hierarchical systems, those at the top may also become disconnected from the relational feedback that fosters empathy and understanding. This disconnection can reinforce behaviors that maintain or increase power imbalances, creating a cycle that further erodes trust and connection. Over time, hierarchy creates environments where cooperation is replaced by compliance or resistance, both of which inhibit the natural flow of relational support and shared regulation.
Healthy systems, whether interpersonal or organizational, prioritize relationships based on mutual respect, shared power, and collaboration. These dynamics create a sense of safety and belonging, allowing individuals to co-regulate and thrive. When hierarchy is reduced, the relational field becomes one of reciprocity, where everyone’s nervous system has the opportunity to find balance and contribute to the whole.
Hierarchy creates separation, and that separation fosters an “us versus them” mindset, where contempt can take root. When people are placed above or below others, it undermines the sense of shared humanity that is essential for empathy and connection. Contempt thrives in the absence of connection, and it allows cruelty to emerge because it dehumanizes the other, making their pain or needs seem less significant, or even invisible.
From a neurophysiological perspective, this separation disrupts co-regulation, the natural exchange that helps nervous systems feel safe and grounded together. Without that shared sense of safety, fear and distrust grow, fueling behaviors that reinforce the power imbalance and deepen the divide. In this way, hierarchy doesn’t just separate people physically or structurally; it fractures the relational bonds that are essential for kindness, understanding, and collective well-being.
Hierarchy perpetuates harm by breaking down the conditions that allow compassion and care to flourish.
