Embracing hierarchy and uneven power structures works better overall because everyone knows what everyone else's individual responsibilities are, and people in high positions are pressured to live up to them. You'll always have corrupt rulers but you'll also have noblesse oblige. Without being under the allusion that "we the people are in control!", those power structures would be more visible, more people would learn how to manipulate them, and we'd know who to go after when it's time to revolt.