Basic Human Needs: The Next Steps in Theory Development

In: International journal of peace studies, Band 6, Heft 1, S. 51-58

Abstract

Suggests how the great promise of basic human needs theory has succeeded along with points of failure. Avenues for potential development are then addressed. The virtues of basic human needs theory are that it (1) distinguishes between struggles that can be dealt with through power-based negotiation & those that require other measures, (2) understands contradiction inherent in notions like negotiation & dispute resolution, & (3) asserts a needs-based approach to undermine manipulative leaders. The theory's main limitation is deemed its assumption that there exists some sort of human nature or inherent biological structure. For the future, it is argued that the problem-solving system of conflict resolution must be demystified. 35 References. J. Backman