In the ongoing efforts to combat racism and sexism in North America, another form of discrimination is often overlooked: rank-based discrimination, or "rankism." This injustice, marked by low rank that signifies weakness and vulnerability, leads to abuse similar to that faced by marginalized groups based on race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. The book explores our reluctance to confront rankism, arguing that abuse stemming from power differences is as unjustifiable as that based on color or gender. By examining various examples, it illustrates how many forms of injustice trace back to rankism. It reveals rankism's pervasive and corrosive influence in our lives and institutions, akin to how The Feminine Mystique exposed sexism. The text challenges the prevailing "Somebody Mystique," shedding light on the subtle dynamics of power in social interactions. It positions rankism as a significant barrier on the journey from aristocracy to meritocracy while highlighting a dignitarian revolution already underway. The book offers insights into a potential post-rankist society, introducing new language and concepts to better understand these power dynamics.
