In many situations, they can be either extremely useful or even vital. Without them, you tend to have a gaggle, with no one in charge and no one accountable. As long as they serve a purpose and are based on meaningful criteria (e.g., experience, knowledge, stuff like that), I have no problem with them. Obviously, they can also be abused and/or can be based on bad things like hereditary rank, unearned wealth, and so on. Those I ignore and flout when I can.
I spent 20 years as a military officer and had no problem with the strict hierarchy. The ranks had to be earned and, with some exceptions, were merited, and the authority carried heavy responsibility.
Pecking orders, hierarchies, systems of authority, whatever you call them can be bad or good, like anything else. But without some sort of structure, you have chaos, which in societies is bad. In fact, it's impossible. Some sort of pecking order will always emerge in a group of people, whether it's based on brute strength or something else.
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"Beware of me; I cast no shadow when I pass."
Wake up, America, and smell the dictatorship!