Hi melstein,

Yes. In capitalism, hierarchy is enforced through a series of voluntary subjugation in exchange for wages--i.e., the sale of labor for money. I don't believe there's anything wrong in this transaction--or, indeed, any voluntary economic transactions between two parties.

This is different from government, in which hierarchy is enforced through violence or the threat of violence (i.e., you do something wrong and you go to jail). Government operates via forced hierarchy because you cannot choose to disengage--you are under the construct of law regardless of where you are or what you do.

However, I can easily choose to sever completely my ties with my employer or with the corporations with whom I choose to (or not to) do business.

So, my boss at work is absolutely "over me" in terms of hierarchy, but that's okay--I sell her my time in exchange for money. My state's senator is also "above me" in the hierarchy, because she has rights that I don't--insider trading rules apply differently, she can apply and receive a gun permit, etc. This is not okay, because there is nothing I can do short of fleeing my physical location to end this hierarchical relationship (even if we vote her out, another citizen will be elected).