Final answer:
Deferential respect involves showing esteem to individuals with higher status based on achievements or positions, with historical shifts from pedigree to democratic values. It is evident in legislative contexts and cultural practices like filial piety and sportsmanship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term deferential respect refers to the practice of showing honor and esteem towards individuals who are seen as having higher status due to various achievements or positions within society. Traditionally, this could be due to their military accomplishments, educational attainment, business success, or family pedigree - forming what was once considered a 'natural aristocracy' in the early American republic.
However, as the early 1820s approached, such deference began to shift from pedigree to a more democratic form of respect towards the will of the majority, signifying a change in societal values.
Deferential respect also incorporates being respectful of one's parents and elders in the community, which can extend to showing loyalty and trustworthiness to the regional government. In legislative terms, legislative deference can occur when a legislature yields power to another governmental branch, reflecting both a form of respect and a potential threat to its independence if it becomes excessive or unquestioning.
Furthermore, in martial arts and competitive sports, deferential respect is exhibited through sportsmanship and courtesy towards one's opponent, demonstrating honor even in confrontation.
In the context of Confucianism, the concept of filial piety involves a hierarchical form of respect, where family members are owed the greatest concern, followed by the local community, and subsequently, the state, epitomizing the societal expectations of deference in different domains.