What term describes a culture that believes power and authority are a fact of life?

The term that describes a culture believing power and authority are a fact of life is "high power distance." In cultures with high power distance, there is a significant acceptance and expectation of an unequal distribution of power. This concept reflects how society views authority figures and the relationships between those in positions of power and the general population.

People in high power distance cultures tend to accept hierarchical structures and recognize that power disparities are normal and generally unquestioned. This acceptance can impact various social structures, including family dynamics, organizational behavior, and governance. In contrast, low power distance cultures strive for equality and often favor a more democratic approach to power distribution.

Other options, while related to power dynamics in societal contexts, do not capture this specific belief system as effectively as high power distance does. Social hierarchy refers to the ranking of individuals or groups in a society but does not encompass the cultural acceptance of that ranking. Cultural collectivism relates to group-oriented values rather than power structures. Thus, high power distance is the most accurate descriptor for a culture that considers power and authority as inherent aspects of life.