A Maslow Political Lesson For Motivation

Many of us are still confused as to why Americans would elect a political party hell bent on cutting the size of government and turning its back on helping the world. I’ve been taken back by the change, but the voter frustration that has led to it has been building for sometime.

If liberals are still wondering why their brand is under siege globally, perhaps a lesson about Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can help explain. I’ve learned and taught about Maslow so many times I feel like I met him, even though he died before I was born.

His premise was that humans are motivated to satisfy a pyramid of needs and that until our most basic needs are met (food, water and shelter) we won’t concern ourselves with any higher purpose. Once the basics are met then people move onto safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem and finally fulfilment. I believe the same motivation holds true for voters.

Nobody will concern themselves about more progressive causes or concern themselves with foreign injustice unless the basics are covered. During the extreme inflationary period we just experienced and the lawlessness that followed - do you really believe anyone wants to spend money on Ukraine or carbon taxes. Take care of the basics, then progressives might get a receptive ear. Even then the person making the case better be able to make persuasive argument.

If you want proof that all politics is local, then look at the angst directed at City Hall when it has money for bike lanes, but can’t clear snow or fix potholes. Here in Guelph, school had to be cancelled because a Canadian city couldn’t clear the snow even though in every neighbouring city schools were open. The bike lanes that nobody uses did get ploughed - sidewalks and side streets - not so much.

People pay a lot of taxes in this country - which for many is fine, if you get what you pay for. That hasn’t been the case for a while now. The value equation between expectations and actual service is out of whack.

Look at the number of public employees who refuse to go back to the office, even when they know their absence is hurting many small businesses - like local restaurants. Being oblivious to the pain being felt by the tax base that funds your job breeds understandable resentment. The public service used to be a calling to serve others. Now it calls out to those who could never cut it in the private sector. To be fair, since the pandemic the deterioration in public service has been across the board. But at least in the private sector consumers can take their business elsewhere. When it comes to government services, most people don’t have the choice or money to go anywhere else. So they get angry and vote for angry politicians. These opportunists at best cut the fat and get back to the basics and take care of their own. At worst, they give you a big tax cut and sell you on the idea to give up on government altogether.

I’ve taken to this space to yell at out of touch liberals who have forgotten to mind the store. We are in for some difficult times indeed if they don’t get back to work and start meeting people again where they are. You can’t talk about existential threats till you...

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