Or, perhaps a system in which no one has to ‘earn’ respect for any reason — we automatically afford it to everyone unless their behavior shows up differently.

Because replacing skin color, gender or sexual orientation with drive, education or skill is, in my opinion, reinforcing the dominance hierarchy. Those with more perceived drive or skill will still be ‘on top’ and others judged as ‘lesser.’

Truly flattening the hierarchy requires a different type of thinking altogether, letting go of the need to artificially compete, but instead create a collaborative society. Quite a ways to go on this one…