Social dominance theory is a multi - level
theory of how societies maintain group -
based dominance. Nearly all stable societies
can be considered group - based dominance
hierarchies, in which one social group –
often an ethnic, religious, national, or racial
one – holds disproportionate power and
enjoys special privileges, and at least one
other group has relatively little political
power or ease in its way of life. As examples,
consider the relationship between contemporary
Western European nations and their
immigrant groups and Roma, between the
ruling elites of South America and their
indigenous peoples, or between Jewish
Israelis and Palestinians. In all cases, the economic,
educational, and health outcomes
are superior for members of the dominant
groups from what they are for members of
the subordinate groups.