Sunday, 13 September 2020

Modi and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

I am not a Political Analyst, but have been watching Indian Politics for close to 45 years. Allow me to take the liberty of sharing a few thoughts. This has nothing to do with any State, Political Party but a general observation I observe many exhorting people to vote out X, Y or Z and they give solid reasons. One of the fundamental principles of any marketing is to answer the question to the Consumer (here the voter) the answer to his WIIIFM - What Is In It For Me? Most of the exhorting is based on, 1. Why X, Y, Z is corrupt or lousy, hence need to be thrown out 2. Why X,Y, Z should not come to power to save Hindu Civilization Both valid premises definitely. But it is not likely to make much headway. Because it doesnt answer the WIIIFM to the Voter. Take the Second Point first and refer to Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. It is known that one has to satisfy Lower order or Basic needs-Physiological/Safety Needs - before thinking of higher order needs. When we talk of Saving the Hindu Civilization, we addressing to the Self Actualization Need of the Voter. In a situation when his Basic Needs are not met, it is unlikely the average voter will even think of Self Actualization Needs. Modi understands this very well During the last 6 years, Modi made a Conscious effort to address the Basic Needs - Food, Water, Electricity, Home, Sanitation, DBF, Gas, Medical Insurance. Slowly he moved towards 3rd and 4th order needs, once many of the basic needs are taken care of. He always starts his address "Bhayiyon or Behanon". This addresses the Love and Belongingness Needs apart from the way he takes us into confidence, trusts us - especially during the LD. He did not use the stick but tried to convince us the need to follow rules for OUR SAKE. Now he has gone one step ahead - He talks about National Pride, Atma Nirbhar which essentially aims at the 4th order Esteem need of each one of us. The next step is to address the Self Actualization Needs. Till then it is premature. Coming to Point 1, it is not easy to make people vote X, Y, Z out because they are corrupt or goondas or dumeels or commies, unless we are able to show an alternative. For ordinary voter (who is street smart), he doesnt care much if Tweedledum or Tweedledee rules. They are all corrupt in his eyes. For the first time, Modi at the Centre has shown them that it is not like that, and it is possible to rule without Corruption, and with benefits reaching the last man standing.
This needs to be the focal point and am sure this will achieve the purpose of throwing out those X, Y, Z Corrupt, Goonda, Dumeel, Commies....

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