system justification theory

n. Societies differ in the manner and extent of differentiation between groups and the forms of inequality that prevail. Social institutions and hierarchies are maintained in part through attitudes and belief systems that justify them. System justification refers to the social psychological tendency to defend, justify, and uphold aspects of the social status quo, even if it was arrived at arbitrarily or if a different system would better meet people's interests.

System justification researchers propose that there is an abstract system-justifying goal that underlies people's motivation to maintain the status quo. This goal is a powerful determinant of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, because it satisfies several social and psychological needs, including epistemic needs for consistency, certainty, and meaning and existential needs to manage threat and distress.

From the perspective of the disadvantaged, justifying the system perpetuates their own deprivation and therefore works against their personal and collective interests. People system justify because attaining this goal serves the palliative function of reducing the anxiety, guilt, dissonance, discomfort, and uncertainty that result from being part of an unequal and possibly unjust system. The net result of system justification is social and political acquiescence. – JVT, JTJ