Synonyms
Definition
Basic needs (BN) are generally defined in terms of a minimal list of elements that human beings necessitate, in order to fulfill basic requirements and achieve a decent life. Typically, the list includes basic commodities, such as food, clothing, and shelter, as well as essential services, as access to drinking water, to sanitation, to education, to healthcare facilities, and to public transportation. Broader definitions of basic needs further extend the attention to other psychological and social needs – such as participation, self-reliance, autonomy, and self-expression.
A basic needs approach (BNA) to development is a strategy according to which development is defined by the fulfillment of everyone’s basic necessities, together with the participatory involvement of people in the decision-making process of policies that shall affect them.
Description
Concepts
The concept of basic needsdates back to the first half of the...
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Chiappero-Martinetti, E. (2014). Basic Needs. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_150
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