Lady Catherine de Bourgh is the aunt of Darcy, sister of his mother. (Her father was an earl. We know it was her father who had the title because she is called "Lady Catherine." If it had been her husband who had the title she would be called Lady de Bourgh.) Austen satirizes this character by portraying her not as dignified, but as ludicrous as Mrs. Bennet.
One of the first things we learn about Lady Catherine is that "she likes to have the distinction of rank preserved." In other words, she does not question the social hierarchy since she is among the "highest." Some of the problems with this hierarchy are that rank is determined by birth not merit; it keeps power (social and political) in the hands of a few and leaves no opportunities for anyone else; relationships between humans are fixed (one was not supposed to marry outside of one's "class") and are determined by social structure.
If we consider Lady Catherine's infamous visit to Elizabeth's home after hearing rumors of an engagement between Elizabeth and Darcy (whom Lady Catherine wants her own daughter to marry--first cousins often married at the time, especially if it combined estates), we see her at her "finest":
Elizabeth has asked why she should not accept Darcy. "Because honour, decorum, prudence, nay, interest, forbit it. Yes, Miss Bennet, interest; for do not expect to be noticed by his family or friends, if you wilfully act against the inclinations of all. You will be censured, slighted, and despised, by every one connected with him. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us....If you were sensible of your own good, you would not wish to quit the sphere, in which you have been brought up."
Austen is showing what is oppressive about the power of rank and wealth. Lady Catherine is bigoted and snobbish and overbearing in her assumption of superiority. I think this demonstrates what absolute power does to an individual and to society.
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