Editing Rankism (section)

== Characteristics ==

Rankism can take many forms, including
* exploiting one's position within a hierarchy to secure unwarranted advantages and benefits (e.g. massive corporate bonuses);
* abusing a position of power (e.g., abusive [[parental abuse of children|parent]] or [[Religious abuse|priest]], [[Corporate corruption|corrupt CEO]], [[Workplace bullying|bully boss]], [[prisoner abuse]]);
* using rank as a shield to get away with [[insulting]] or [[humiliating]] others with impunity;
* using rank to maintain a position of power long after it can be justified;
* exporting the rank achieved in one sphere of activity to claim superior value as a person;
* exploiting rank that is illegitimately acquired or held (as in situations resting on specious distinctions of social rank, such as [[racism]], [[sexism]], [[intellectualism]], [[wealth]], [[Religious persecution|religious beliefs]], [[hereditary]], [[marital status]], [[gang|gang affiliation]], [[criminal record]], [[egotism]] or [[classism]]).

Rankism can occur in any [[social hierarchy]], such as governments, corporations, families, non-profit organizations, and universities.<ref>{{cite web
  | last = Fuller
  | first = Robert
  | title = Democracy's Next Step: Building a Dignitarian Society
  | url=http://www.breakingranks.net/weblog/articles/democracy
  | access-date = 2008-09-19
  }}
</ref>