Can you "demand" respect?

I heard something on the radio on the way to work where they stated that such-and-such a person “demanded” respect.

I have always thought that respect was something to be earned. You can demand all you want but if I think you do not deserve it you are not getting it from me. But, I differentiate between treating someone with respect and respecting someone for who or what they are.

What are your thoughts on this aspect of respect?