My issue with the concept of Authority

I do not agree with the concept of Authority. At the root of the concept is the idea that one person or group is superior and one person or group is inferior. Being a firm believer in equality I reject the idea that anybody is superior or inferior to me. Since I reject the root of the concept I can't agree with the concept itself.

Now I have no problem working for others, I have worked for individuals and large corporations, but the root of these work agreements is mutual respect and negotiation as equals. If you look up respect in wikipedia it discusses the idea of respect for superiors. I don't believe in the concept of superiors so I have to reject this form of respect. Never the less I do respect others, but I respect them for who they are and what they can do not for some position or job title they hold.

This is a problem of course. I could never be in the military because I do not agree with the concept of respect of superiors, something the military is based on. I wisely chose never to join the military, although many times I wish I had been able to serve in some fashion. I avoid contact with the police and courts because people in these institutions expect respect based on their job title and I cannot give it. There are people in the police and courts that I have respected, but because of who they are not the job title they held.

The concept of authority is a very old concept that should have been eliminated long ago. Perhaps some day society will advance far enough that we can eliminate the concept, but for now the concept seems well entrenched.