8. Using our basic needs to create connection

So, if we can agree that basic needs are universal, that every human being has them, this could be a path to each other. A way towards more understanding for each other, more respect for each other. A path towards more community engagement, because we realise that the others are not so different from us at all in what is important to them. It could also be a way towards more responsibility towards our environment, because we can see that we can only fulfil our needs in the long run if we take care of each other and especially of our planet in the way we behave.

And all these values are ultimately democratic values: respect, community engagement, responsibility.

But a look at the division in our society regarding the actions in the current Corona pandemic, a look at the war raging very close to us in Europe, a look at all the people seeking shelter far from home because they are politically persecuted in their own country, shows us that respect, community engagement, responsibility are not so far off.

Why is that so?

Figure 9: Basic Needs