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Activism: In the ever-evolving landscape of politics, we often find ourselves confined to the traditional left-right spectrum. This binary view, with its emphasis on economic and social policies, sometimes obscures deeper motivations driving voter behavior and political trends. As a result, we might miss crucial insights that could enhance our understanding of why people vote the way they do, why political movements gain momentum, and why some ideas resonate while others falter. I have found an alternative framework to be far more helpful: the Maslow Pyramid.

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, typically illustrated as a pyramid, categorizes human needs into five levels: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Maslow famously hypothesized, that a lower-level need must be satisfied before we start attempting to fulfill the needs of the next level — as an example, while we’re starving and live in fear of being robbed (level one), we’re not so much concerned with having the respect of the community (level four). By examining political trends through this lens, we can gain a richer, more nuanced perspective on what drives societal shifts and voter preferences.

Physiological Needs and the Politics of Survival

At the base of Maslow’s pyramid are physiological needs: food, water, warmth, and rest — as well as immediate physical safety. In times of economic crisis, political discourse often gravitates towards these fundamental concerns. Populist movements frequently gain traction by promising to address the immediate needs of the people. For instance, during the Great Recession, there was a surge in support for policies focused on job creation, healthcare access, and basic economic security. Politicians who can convincingly address these basic needs often see significant support from constituencies facing hardship just getting from one day to the next without getting beaten, robbed, or starved. Fear of getting to this state (fear of getting robbed on your way to/from work, school, etc.) will also suffice to place oneself at this level.

However, if established parties fail to address these concerns, voters will inevitably turn to whomever offers a solution, even if it’s an atrocious one. It’s like choosing Comcast for your Internet connection when no other provider is available—you know the service is subpar, but having some connection is better than none. Similarly, in politics, when mainstream parties neglect the foundational needs of the populace, fringe or extremist parties can gain support by simply acknowledging and addressing these unmet needs — and that is regardless of how flawed their solutions to said problems may be.

Safety Needs and the Demand for Stability

Moving up the pyramid, once the physical needs are met, then safety needs encompass longer-term personal security, employment, and health. Political rhetoric around law and order, immigration control, and national security taps into these safety concerns. When people feel their safety is threatened, whether by crime, terrorism, or economic instability, they are more likely to support policies and leaders who promise to restore stability and protect them from perceived threats. The post-9/11 era (just after 2001), with its heightened focus on national security, is a prime example of how safety needs can dominate the political agenda.

Yet again, if traditional parties fail to provide a sense of security, voters may gravitate towards any party that promises to deliver it, even if their methods are draconian and/or frankly ridiculous.

Love and Belonging: The Politics of Identity

The middle tier of the pyramid addresses social needs: relationships, friendships, and a sense of belonging. Identity politics, which includes movements advocating for the rights of specific social groups based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and more, finds its roots here. Political movements that foster a sense of community and belonging can galvanize supporters by addressing these intrinsic needs. The LGBPQRST+ rights movement, for instance, not only fights for legal rights but also seeks to create a supportive community for its members.

When mainstream parties overlook these social needs, people will seek out any group or party that offers them a sense of belonging, even if that party’s overall agenda is problematic. It’s a matter of seeking connection where it’s available.

Esteem: The Quest for Recognition

Esteem needs encompass respect, self-esteem, status, and recognition. Political leaders who can validate the contributions and worth of their supporters often build strong, loyal followings. This is evident in political campaigns that emphasize the dignity of work, the importance of patriotism, and the recognition of personal achievements. Policies aimed at rewarding hard work and providing opportunities for personal advancement resonate deeply with voters seeking validation and respect.

Self-Actualization: The Pursuit of Fulfillment

At the peak of the pyramid is self-actualization — the realization of one’s potential and the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment. Politics at this level involves visionary thinking and appeals to higher ideals. Environmental movements with or without solutions based in reality, space exploration initiatives, and educational reforms often engage this need. Leaders who inspire through their vision of a better future, who challenge citizens to think beyond their immediate concerns and contribute to something greater than themselves, tap into this highest level of human motivation.

It’s rather telling that the biggest telltale sign for voters (and media), who are personally at this level of human needs, is that they often and happily paint the political parties and movements answering to level-one and level-two human needs as brutish, uneducated, simpleton and backwards — when in reality, what such name-calling voters who pretend to hold themselves to some sort of higher standard are really doing, is disacknowledging that other people’s most basic needs are simply not being met. Talk about being overprivileged in ivory towers! “Let them eat cake”, anyone?

If mainstream political parties neglect to engage voters at this level, people will align with any party that inspires them, even if the broader agenda is not entirely sound. It can be somewhat like signing up for a self-help seminar led by a guy who lives in his mom’s basement because he speaks so passionately about “unlocking your potential.”

A Holistic Approach to Political Analysis

By applying the Maslow Pyramid to our understanding of political trends, we gain a multi-dimensional view that goes beyond the simplicity of left versus right. This approach allows us to see how different policies and political messages resonate with various segments of the population based on their current needs and aspirations.

For instance, a comprehensive healthcare reform policy can address physiological needs by ensuring access to medical care, safety needs by providing financial security, love and belonging by reducing social disparities, esteem by recognizing healthcare as a right, and self-actualization by promoting a healthier society capable of achieving its full potential.

It’s further important to realize that an individual voter would vote for completely different parties, even at opposite ends of the traditional spectrum, depending on where they feel the most urgency in their personal needs at the moment, and that this is not a contradiction or uncertainty on policies.

In conclusion, the Maslow Pyramid provides a valuable framework for understanding the complex and dynamic nature of political trends. It reminds us that politics is fundamentally about people and their needs. By considering these needs in our political analysis, we can develop more empathetic, effective, and inclusive strategies that resonate deeply with the human condition. And crucially, we must remember that when these needs are ignored, voters will turn to any party that promises to meet them, even if it means accepting a deeply flawed solution. After all, in the absence of better options, you might just end up with Comcast.

Many people asked us already how to change grips at the BMX bike. If you don't know the specialtricks then it will be very difficult. So enjoy to watch the video : how to change your grips !!

For now is in german but english and some other languages will follow soon. Just check out the kunstform?! BMX Shop Youtube account at http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/kunstformbmxshop

Street riding at its finest! This is what the new BSD "Foreign Exchange" Video shows you, in which the BSD worldwide team rider Craig Sime and the filmer Johnny Ashworth met our bro Felix Donat last autumn in Germany, to produce this masterpiece of video in the streets of Karlsruhe and Stuttgart.
You definitely have to check their video out!


Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!



Video: Jonny Ashworth



subscribe to our youtube channel: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/kunstformbmxshop

On the 18.08.2018, the "Aichwalder Schanzafeschd" BMX Jam will take place again at the Aichwald trails. The trails will open at 12am (local time) and you're invited! BBQ, cold beers and BMX sounds good or not? If you like camping, you can easily pitch your tent there.

All the best, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

What:
Aichwalder Schanzafeschd - BMX Jam 2018

When:
18th August 12am (local time)

Where:
BSC Aichwald e.V.
Schönbühlstr.24
73773 Aichwald


More infos on Facebook.

At the 13th of July 2019 the famous Schanzafeschd will take place again at the Aichwaldtrails. BBQ, BMX, Beers and more BMX! Sounds good? Then come over and have a great time!


More information about the event:
Instagram: @aichwaldtrails Mail: info@aichwaldtrails.de

What:
Aichwald Schanzafeschd 2019 BMX discipline: BMX Dirt

When:
13th of July 2019

Where:
Aichwald Trails
Krummhardter Str. 70
73773 Aichwald


More infos on aichwaldtrails.de.

Our Bro Felix Prangenberg won the silver medal at the X-Games BMX Street Contest in Shanghai! Congratulations!!! The top 3 with Felix, Chad Kerely and Garett Reynolds were super close with only two points difference. All three had flawless runs, which certainly did not make the decision easier for the judges. What do you think about the results? You can watch the whole video here now.

Enjoy the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: X-Games

Related links:

• all signature parts of Felix Prangenberg
• all products of kunstform

Our bro Felix Prangenberg recently shot a small documentary about a typical day in his life for wethepeople BMX. So if you always wanted to know how Felix spends the morning, sessions his BMX or the Wethepeople headquarters look like, then you've come to the right place!

Have fun with the video, your kunstform BMX Shop Team!

Video: David Schaller

Related links:

• all signature parts of Felix Prangenberg
• all products of kunstform

The new collection of Fist Handwear just arrived!

A new "Fist Handwear" delivery is on the way and therefore we can now offer you the last year's models at a highly reduced price! Be quick, because the offer is only valid while stocks last.

Mawlawi Matiul Haq Khalis, director-general of Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency meets with the media on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Baku on November 11, 2024. — AFP

BAKU: The first Afghan official to attend UN...

cna

Former prime minister Imran Khan gestures as he addresses supporters during a rally in Karachi, April 16, 2022. — ReutersSome PTI leaders sitting abroad pressing for do-or-die protest. Some firebrand leaders fear it may damage party and its cause.PTI info secy admits to presence...

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The dust has settled from the holidays, the bills have come in, and the damage has been done. How did you fare financially during the holidays? Did you overspend or did you stay on budget? After reviewing our holiday spending we actually came out almost exactly on target. That’s not to say we spent exactly […]

The post Holiday Hangover? first appeared on Getting Finances Done.

A eclectic group of stars - including reality TV's Ariana Madix, Broadway belter Idina Menzel, hip-hop's T-Pain, members of the WNBA champions New York Liberty and country duo Dan + Shay - will feature in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Inside the Ring: Rising global temperatures pose pressing challenges for the Defense Department and a new climate planning cell is needed to better monitor climate threats, according to a major new study by the Pentagon's Defense Science Board.

More than 50% of U.S. Christians admit to consuming sexually explicit material and 22% say they do so weekly, according to an evangelical research firm.

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"Outlander" is returning with the concluding episodes of its seventh season this month, but its stars have already wrapped official production on the show's eighth and final season.

You could say that Ethan Slater's yellow brick road to getting cast in the big screen adaptation of "Wicked" had an element of magic to it.

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The biggest difference between Donald Trump's victory in 2016 and 2024 is Sherlock Holmes' "dog that didn't bark."

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As you pack up your things, Joe and Kamala, I just wanted to take the time to thank you for taking such good care of middle- and lower-middle-class Americans these past four years.

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